Frost dates for 89440Virginia City, NV
The average last spring frost in Virginia City is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 8 · May 31 · Jun 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 12 · Jun 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 6 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 24 · May 18 | Oct 12 · Oct 31 · Nov 17 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Virginia City
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 | Apr 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89440 is matched to the NOAA station Virginia City, NV, 2 km away, at 6,340 ft elevation (274 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia City, NV (used) | 6,340 ft | May 12 | Oct 17 |
| Carson City, NV | 4,761 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Incline Village, NV | 6,356 ft | May 17 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Virginia City
- Silver City, NV 89428 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Reno, NV 89521 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Dayton, NV 89403 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Carson City, NV 89706 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Incline Village, NV 89450 · last May 17, first Oct 13
- Sparks, NV 89432 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Crystal Bay, NV 89402 · last Jun 5, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Virginia City, NV?
- For ZIP code 89440, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Virginia City, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Virginia City, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89440?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.