Frost dates for 89801 — Elko, NV
Last spring frostJun 7median date
First fall frostSep 12median date
Growing season97 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Elko compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elko falls between May 18 and June 22, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 31 and September 25.
- The median last frost is 27 days later than the Nevada median of May 11.
- Its 97-day growing season is among the shortest of the 84 Nevada places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 35 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 227 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 18 |
| 50% (median) | June 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 31 |
| 50% (median) | September 12 |
| 90% (late) | September 25 |
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 Elko, NV
Frost dates for 89801 — Elko, NV — last frost Jun 7, first frost Sep 12, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 12Sow outdoors: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 3 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: May 10 to May 17Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: May 10 to May 17Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Oct 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elko, NV
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 17 – May 31 | May 10 – Jun 14 | Jul 18 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — |
| Basil | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 3 – Jun 14 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cucumbers | May 10 – May 17 | Jun 21 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 10 – May 17 | — | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 10 – May 17 | — | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 10 – May 17 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 24 – Jun 21 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 97 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
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 Ryndon, NV weather station, 10 km away (elevation 5,289 ft (1,612 m)).
ZIP codes in Elko: 89801 89802 89803
Frost dates near Elko
- Spring Creek Jun 6 · Sep 16
- Lamoille frost any month
- Deeth frost any month
- Carlin May 29 · Sep 18
- Wells Jun 10 · Sep 16
- Ruby Valley May 27 · Sep 23
- Tuscarora Jun 4 · Sep 24
- Crescent Valley Jun 2 · Sep 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elko, NV?
The median last spring frost in Elko, NV is June 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elko, NV?
The median first fall frost is September 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 31.
How long is the growing season in Elko, NV?
About 97 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elko, NV?
Elko, NV is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.