Fairfield, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Fairfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairfield falls between March 23 and April 21, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 22 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 104 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 23 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Fairfield, NC
Fairfield, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 4, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fairfield, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Fairfield, NC weather station, 8 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 m)).
Frost dates near Fairfield
- Swanquarter Mar 18 · Nov 25
- Engelhard Mar 29 · Nov 13
- Scranton Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Creswell Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Columbia Mar 29 · Nov 13
- Belhaven Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Lowland Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Pantego Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Stumpy Point Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Manns Harbor Mar 15 · Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fairfield, NC?
The median last spring frost in Fairfield, NC is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fairfield, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Fairfield, NC?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairfield, NC?
Fairfield, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.