Fairmont, MN planting zone & frost dates
Fairmont is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 25 and the first fall frost around October 14, for a growing season of about 171 days.
Planting calendar for Fairmont
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 25) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 14).
Useful for zone 5a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | May 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 26 | Oct 14 | Sep 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Fairmont
- 56031 zone 5a
Nearby cities
- New Ulm zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- North Mankato zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Mankato zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Saint Peter zone 5a, last frost May 2
- Albert Lea zone 5a, last frost Apr 27
- Worthington zone 5a, last frost May 3
- Hutchinson zone 4b, last frost Apr 28
- Owatonna zone 4b, last frost May 5
Questions
What growing zone is Fairmont, MN?
Fairmont is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Fairmont?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Fairmont is April 25. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in Fairmont?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 2 – May 9. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Fairmont, MN (USC00212698), 0.9 km (0.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 362 m, based on 22 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.