Frost dates for 89435 — Sparks, NV
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Sparks compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sparks falls between April 17 and May 25, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Nevada median of May 11.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 84 Nevada places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Reno, NV, 6 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Sparks, NV
Frost dates for 89435 — Sparks, NV — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sparks, NV
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Sparks, NV weather station, 3 km away (elevation 4,357 ft (1,328 m)).
ZIP codes in Sparks: 89431 89432 89434 89435 89436 89437 89441
Frost dates near Sparks
- Reno Apr 28 · Oct 27
- Sun Valley Apr 28 · Oct 27
- Verdi May 9 · Oct 17
- Virginia City May 12 · Oct 17
- Reno (Washoe) May 3 · Oct 10
- Washoe Valley May 17 · Oct 13
- Silver City May 12 · Oct 17
- Dayton May 12 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sparks, NV?
The median last spring frost in Sparks, NV is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sparks, NV?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Sparks, NV?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sparks, NV?
Sparks, NV is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.