When to plant in Fairmont, MN
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Fairmont, Minnesota — all computed from Fairmont's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5a means Fairmont sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Fairmont is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FAIRMONT · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Fairmont’s own odds, recorded at FAIRMONT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 15 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 22 | Oct 4 | Oct 17 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 25 | Apr 12 | Sep 30 | Oct 14 | Oct 26 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Oct 11 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Fairmont, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Fairmont planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Fairmont, MN?
Fairmont's average last spring frost falls near April 25 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Fairmont, MN?
The first fall frost in Fairmont typically arrives around October 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Fairmont in?
Fairmont is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Fairmont?
There are roughly 172 frost-free days in Fairmont (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 14.
When should I plant tomatoes in Fairmont?
In Fairmont, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Fairmont
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Fairmont’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Mankato · 69 km
- Mankato · 70 km
- New Ulm · 74 km
- Spencer · 78 km
- St. Peter · 86 km
- Albert Lea · 88 km
- Worthington · 91 km
- Owatonna · 111 km
Frost dates recorded at FAIRMONT, 0 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Fairmont, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00212698. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/fairmont.