Frost dates for 89521 — Reno, NV
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season158 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Reno compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Reno falls between April 23 and June 5, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Nevada median of May 11.
- Its 158-day growing season is longer than 55% of the 84 Nevada places with a regular frost season (state median 149 days).
- The last frost is 26 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 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Reno, NV
Frost dates for 89521 — Reno, NV — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 17, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Reno, NV
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Virginia City, NV weather station, 8 km away (elevation 6,339 ft (1,932 m)).
ZIP codes in Reno: 89501 89502 89503 89504 89505 89506 89507 89508 89509 89511 89512 89513 89515 89519 89520 89521 89523 89533 89555 89557 89570 89595 89599
Frost dates near Reno
- Virginia City May 12 · Oct 17
- Silver City May 12 · Oct 17
- Washoe Valley May 17 · Oct 13
- Dayton May 12 · Oct 17
- Sparks May 1 · Oct 10
- Sun Valley Apr 28 · Oct 27
- Carson City May 4 · Oct 6
- Incline Village May 17 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
The median last spring frost in Reno, NV is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Reno, NV?
About 158 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Reno, NV?
Reno, NV is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.