Fairfield, ND frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Fairfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairfield falls between April 30 and May 27, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 11.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Dakota median of May 12.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 372 North Dakota places with a regular frost season (state median 139 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4a, where the median is May 12.
- The weather station records an average of 191 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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, ND
Fairfield, ND frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 28, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fairfield, ND
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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, ND weather station, 8 km away (elevation 2,749 ft (838 m)).
Frost dates near Fairfield
- Grassy Butte May 18 · Sep 23
- Medora May 19 · Sep 20
- Killdeer May 21 · Sep 23
- Belfield May 9 · Sep 30
- Manning May 18 · Sep 24
- South Heart May 18 · Sep 25
- Dunn Center May 20 · Sep 21
- Sentinel Butte May 16 · Sep 26
- Dickinson May 18 · Sep 25
- Beach May 16 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fairfield, ND?
The median last spring frost in Fairfield, ND is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fairfield, ND?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Fairfield, ND?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairfield, ND?
Fairfield, ND is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.