Frost dates for 89503Reno, NV
The average last spring frost in Reno is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 14 · Jun 5 | Sep 28 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 28 · May 19 | Oct 10 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 10 · May 2 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 23 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Reno
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 – Jul 7 |
| 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 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 7 |
| 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 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89503 is matched to the NOAA station Reno Wfo, NV, 5.1 km away, at 4,987 ft elevation (312 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno Wfo, NV (used) | 4,987 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 27 |
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Sparks, NV | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Stead, NV | 5,101 ft | May 8 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Reno
- Reno, NV 89505 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Sparks, NV 89431 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Sun Valley, NV 89433 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
- Verdi, NV 89439 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Floriston, CA 96111 · last —, first —
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Incline Village, NV 89452 · last May 17, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
- For ZIP code 89503, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reno Wfo, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89503?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.