Frost Dates for Fairfield, IA 52556
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 10 · 175 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 52556 has about 11,400 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Fairfield.
Moderate season: 175 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 3 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 26 (32 days).
Frost probability for 52556
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 18 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 10 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FAIRFIELD (2.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Fairfield, IA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52556 | April 18 | October 10 | 5b |
| 52557 | April 18 | October 10 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 175-day season in Fairfield
In Fairfield (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 2. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 2. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 28. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 238 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 238 available after Feb 21. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 21. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 21. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 280 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 231 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 25. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 2. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 11. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 21. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 140 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 140 available after May 2. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 2. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 25. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 175 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 25. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 2. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 133 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 133 available after May 2. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 154 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 25. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 140 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 140 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 18. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 25. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Fairfield
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Fairfield, IA (ZIP 52556)?
The median last spring frost date for Fairfield, IA (ZIP code 52556) is around April 18. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 4; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Fairfield, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Fairfield, IA is around October 10. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fairfield, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Fairfield is about 175 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Fairfield (175 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fairfield, IA?
Fairfield, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Fairfield, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Fairfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fairfield?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Fairfield?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Fort Madison (ZIP 52627) has 188 frost-free days, 13 more than Fairfield (ZIP 52556). See Fort Madison ZIP 52627 frost dates
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