Frost dates for 89434Sparks, NV
The average last spring frost in Sparks is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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) | May 4 · May 23 · Jun 9 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 11 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 25 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sparks
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89434 is matched to the NOAA station Sparks, NV, 1.5 km away, at 4,357 ft elevation (46 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparks, NV (used) | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Reno Wfo, NV | 4,987 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 27 |
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Spanish Springs, NV | 4,489 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Sparks
- Sparks, NV 89431 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Reno, NV 89512 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Sun Valley, NV 89433 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
- Verdi, NV 89439 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Floriston, CA 96111 · last —, first —
- Silver City, NV 89428 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sparks, NV?
- For ZIP code 89434, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sparks, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Sparks, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89434?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.