Frost dates for 89403Dayton, NV
The average last spring frost in Dayton is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 25 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dayton
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89403 is matched to the NOAA station Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV, 30.7 km away, at 4,410 ft elevation (112 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV (used) | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Virginia City, NV | 6,340 ft | May 12 | Oct 17 |
| Carson City, NV | 4,761 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Sparks, NV | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Dayton
- Silver City, NV 89428 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Reno, NV 89521 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Carson City, NV 89706 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Silver Springs, NV 89429 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Minden, NV 89423 · last May 30, first Sep 26
- Sparks, NV 89434 · last May 1, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dayton, NV?
- For ZIP code 89403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Dayton, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89403?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.