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When to Plant Rosemary in Sitka City and 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.

Sitka City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,935 feet, Sitka City and Borough receives approximately 21.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 69ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Rosemary to ensure they mature before fall.

Sitka City and Borough, AK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Sitka City and Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Nov 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Dec 7
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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 17 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~228 GDD — county provides 327 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Sitka City and Borough, AK

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Dec 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
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 7a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Sitka City and 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 Sitka City and Borough, AK?

Sitka City and Borough is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sitka City and Borough, AK?

Sitka City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sitka City and Borough gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Sitka City and Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.