Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 99928 — Ward Cove, AK

ZIP code 99928 (Ward Cove, Ketchikan Gateway County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 99928 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostNov 9
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ward Cove, AK…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Ward Cove, AK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 19
Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Beaver Falls, AK — 2 miles away, elevation 36 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 99928

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 9) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

Soil in Ward Cove, AK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 99928 is McGilvery — peat, well drained.

TexturePeattop layer
pH3.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: McGilvery peat, 60 to 100 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 99928; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ward Cove, AK

Summer high67 °Faverage high, August
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights67nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,165base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day17 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day7 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation157.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 32 °F 39°32° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 33 °F 41°33° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 35 °F 45°35° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 39 °F 52°39° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 45 °F 59°45° MayJune: average high 64 °F, low 50 °F 64°50° JunJuly: average high 66 °F, low 54 °F 66°54° JulAugust: average high 67 °F, low 54 °F 67°54° AugSeptember: average high 60 °F, low 50 °F 60°50° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 43 °F 52°43° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 37 °F 43°37° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 33 °F 40°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″10″12″14″16″18″20″January: 17.63 in precipitation 17.6 JanFebruary: 11.13 in precipitation 11.1 FebMarch: 12.64 in precipitation 12.6 MarApril: 9.53 in precipitation 9.5 AprMay: 7.19 in precipitation 7.2 MayJune: 5.86 in precipitation 5.9 JunJuly: 6.51 in precipitation 6.5 JulAugust: 11.16 in precipitation 11.2 AugSeptember: 17.68 in precipitation 17.7 SepOctober: 19.10 in precipitation 19.1 OctNovember: 19.46 in precipitation 19.5 NovDecember: 19.38 in precipitation 19.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beaver Falls, AK (2 mi away); precipitation: Beaver Falls, AK (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

999268a
Metlakatla, AK · 19 mi
999017b
Ketchikan, AK · 22 mi
999037b
Meyers Chuck, AK · 29 mi
999197b
Thorne Bay, AK · 36 mi
999217b
Craig, AK · 41 mi
999257b
Klawock, AK · 51 mi
999188a
Coffman Cove, AK · 54 mi
999228a
Hydaburg, AK · 54 mi

Alaska planting zones →

Questions about 99928

What planting zone is ZIP code 99928?

ZIP code 99928 (Ward Cove, AK) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Ward Cove, AK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 99928 is April 4; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Falls station.

When is the first frost in Ward Cove, AK?

The median first fall frost near 99928 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 99928?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 99928 get?

About 157.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaver Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Ward Cove, AK?

The average high peaks at 67 °F in August, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 99928 have?

The USDA soil survey maps McGilvery at the center of ZIP 99928: peat, well drained, pH about 3.5 (strongly acidic).

What kind of onions grow in Ward Cove, AK?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 99928 is 17 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 99928 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 99928 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.