Frost dates for 89405Empire, NV
The average last spring frost in Empire is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 25 · May 9 · Jun 1 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Empire
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89405 is matched to the NOAA station Gerlach, NV, 4.4 km away, at 3,954 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerlach, NV (used) | 3,954 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 15 |
| Smoke Creek Espil, NV | 3,850 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Sutcliffe, NV | 3,900 ft | Apr 15 | Nov 11 |
| Lovelock, NV | 3,973 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Empire
- Gerlach, NV 89412 · last Apr 28, first Oct 15
- Blairsden Graeagle, CA 96103 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Wendel, CA 96136 · last May 16, first Oct 8
- Herlong, CA 96113 · last May 21, first Oct 1
- Nixon, NV 89424 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Ravendale, CA 96123 · last Jun 14, first Sep 18
- Lovelock, NV 89419 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Litchfield, CA 96117 · last May 16, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Empire, NV?
- For ZIP code 89405, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gerlach, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Empire, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89405?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.