Frost dates for 89505Reno, NV
The average last spring frost in Reno is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (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 21 · May 3 · May 25 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 213 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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89505 is matched to the NOAA station Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV, 7 km away, at 4,410 ft elevation (114 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV (used) | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Reno Wfo, NV | 4,987 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 27 |
| Sparks, NV | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Stead, NV | 5,101 ft | May 8 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Reno
- Reno, NV 89503 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
- Sparks, NV 89432 · 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 89505, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89505?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.