Frost dates for 89513Reno, 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)
First frost typically in 6 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 89513 is matched to the NOAA station Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV, 6.1 km away, at 4,410 ft elevation (85 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 89504 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- 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 —
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Incline Village, NV 89450 · last May 17, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
- For ZIP code 89513, 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 89513?
- 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.