When to Plant Fennel in Yakutat City and Borough, AK
Top priorities for Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska gardeners in May
Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Direct-sow fennel
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
Get ahead of June
- Transplants going out: fennel
Florence fennel is grown for its swollen bulb-like stem base, which has a mild anise flavor. It is crisp raw in salads and sweet when roasted or braised.
Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.
At an elevation of 246 feet, Yakutat City and Borough receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 66°F, so choose short-season varieties of Fennel to ensure they mature before fall.
Yakutat City and Borough Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Yakutat City and Borough
How your county's soil matches Fennel's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) overlaps with Fennel's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Yakutat City and Borough is excellent for Fennel — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Fennel.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Fennel will thrive.
How to Plant Fennel
Succession Planting Fennel
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 27 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Fennel
Fennel needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Fennel Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.6" | 2" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.6" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.6" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.6" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.6" | 7.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Yakutat City and Borough). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Fennel Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Fennel Planting Timeline — Yakutat City and Borough, AK
Fennel Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | August 5 | Aug 5 – Sep 16 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
128 days in Yakutat City and Borough
Growing Tips for Fennel in Yakutat City and Borough
Direct sow Fennel outdoors after May 20 in Yakutat City and Borough when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Fennel in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest to reduce bolting. Hill soil around bulbs as they enlarge. Harvest when bulbs are tennis-ball sized before they elongate.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Fennel in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Fennel in Yakutat City and Borough, AK?
Yakutat City and Borough is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Yakutat City and Borough, AK?
Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 25.
Your Yakutat City and Borough Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Yakutat City and Borough (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.