What to plant this week in Anchorage, AK
With average last frost in Anchorage around May 8, this week marks the transition from hardening off cold-weather crops to sowing warm-season treasures like Sunflowers and Zinnias as soil warms past -20°F lows. Gardeners should focus on harvesting ripe Beefsteak Tomatoes and Bell Peppers while carefully managing late-spring transplanting of Garlic to secure a fall harvest before the October 8 frost.
The next 7 days
Anchorage, AKGrowing in Anchorage right now
- Watch for sudden temperature swings common in Anchorage's coastal valley, protecting newly transplanted Warm Season crops with row covers if a cold front moves in quickly.
- Anchorage soils often retain moisture; ensure good drainage when planting heavy feeders like Corn and Beans to prevent root rot during this wetter period of the season.
- Take advantage of the long summer daylight hours by staking tall varieties like Sunflowers and Sweet Corn before winds become stronger later in the month.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
46 crops- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Nasturtium
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Begin succession sowing quick-maturing crops like Bush Beans or Lettuce to extend your harvest before the first frost on October 8.
- Apply a thick layer of straw or leaf mulch around perennial roots and Brassicas like Brussels Sprouts to protect them from early cold snaps.
- Prune back any leggy Summer Savory or Garden Verbena now to encourage fresh growth once temperatures stabilize after the frost.
- Start planning your spring garden by ordering seeds for crops that need a long head start, such as Garlic for next fall planting.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider Mites can quickly infest young Bean and Tomato foliage as humidity fluctuates, requiring early inspection and neem oil sprays.
- Late-emerging Aphids often target newly transplanted Lettuce or Celery, so monitor undersides of leaves closely for clusters.
- Japanese Beetles begin scouting open blooms like Cleome and Cosmos this week, looking for signs of skeletonized leaves.
Watering this week
Reduce watering frequency but increase volume deeply to help plants build frost resistance before the October chill sets in.
Harvest Garlic now if it has finished curing to ensure you get a full bulb before the ground freezes hard.
Anchorage gardening questions
3Can I sow Sunflower seeds directly into my Anchorage garden bed now?
Yes, Sunflowers love the warming soil of late spring in Zone 5a and can be sown directly where they will grow. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil to encourage strong stems for those impressive heights.
When is the best time to transplant my Garlic cloves in Anchorage?
Garlic should be planted now while the ground isn't frozen solid, aiming for harvest before the October 8 first frost. Space them about two inches apart and cover with an inch of soil or straw mulch for winter protection.
How do I handle harvesting Zucchini in Anchorage's short growing season?
Harvest Zucchini when they are small, roughly the size of a tennis ball, to prevent bitterness and encourage more fruit production. Check your plants daily as they can go from tiny to large overnight during our rapid summer growth spurts.
Other cities in zone 5a
6See the full zone 5a guide → · Plan your Anchorage garden in SproutGuide →