Frost dates for 58627Fairfield, ND
The average last spring frost in Fairfield is May 12 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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) | May 9 · May 22 · Jun 5 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 13 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 21 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 156 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 | Apr 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 58627 is matched to the NOAA station Fairfield, ND, 7.7 km away, at 2,750 ft elevation (99 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield, ND (used) | 2,750 ft | May 12 | Sep 28 |
| Grassy Butte 2Ene, ND | 2,670 ft | May 18 | Sep 23 |
| Dickinson Rch Hq, ND | 2,380 ft | May 18 | Sep 24 |
| Medora 7 E, ND | 2,771 ft | May 9 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Fairfield
- Grassy Butte, ND 58634 · last May 18, first Sep 23
- Medora, ND 58645 · last May 19, first Sep 20
- Killdeer, ND 58640 · last May 21, first Sep 23
- Belfield, ND 58622 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Manning, ND 58642 · last May 18, first Sep 24
- South Heart, ND 58655 · last May 18, first Sep 25
- Dunn Center, ND 58626 · last May 20, first Sep 21
- Dickinson, ND 58602 · last May 20, first Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fairfield, ND?
- For ZIP code 58627, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fairfield, ND weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Fairfield, ND?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 58627?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.