Frost dates for 89441Sparks, NV
The average last spring frost in Sparks is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 20 · Jun 6 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 24 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 11 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 182 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 | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89441 is matched to the NOAA station Spanish Springs, NV, 2.6 km away, at 4,489 ft elevation (85 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Springs, NV (used) | 4,489 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Sparks, NV | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Reno Wfo, NV | 4,987 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 27 |
| Stead, NV | 5,101 ft | May 8 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Sparks
- Sparks, NV 89436 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Sun Valley, NV 89433 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
- Reno, NV 89510 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Verdi, NV 89439 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Nixon, NV 89424 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Wadsworth, NV 89442 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Fernley, NV 89408 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sparks, NV?
- For ZIP code 89441, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Spanish Springs, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- 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 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89441?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.