Frost dates for 27826Fairfield, NC
The average last spring frost in Fairfield is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 1 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 28 · Apr 11 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fairfield
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27826 is matched to the NOAA station Fairfield, NC, 8 km away, at 5 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield, NC (used) | 5 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 13 |
| Swanquarter Ferry, NC | 3 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 25 |
| Belhaven 3 Ne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Fairfield
- Swanquarter, NC 27885 · last Mar 18, first Nov 25
- Engelhard, NC 27824 · last Mar 29, first Nov 13
- Scranton, NC 27875 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Creswell, NC 27928 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Columbia, NC 27925 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Belhaven, NC 27810 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Lowland, NC 28552 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Pantego, NC 27860 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fairfield, NC?
- For ZIP code 27826, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fairfield, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Fairfield, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27826?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.