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When to Plant Rosemary in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 1,212 feet, Ketchikan Gateway Borough receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 65ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Rosemary to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK (Zone 7b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Dec 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Dec 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Dec 30

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Dec 12

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

177 days

Growing Tips for Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK?

Ketchikan Gateway Borough is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK?

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ketchikan Gateway Borough gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.