Frost dates for 89519Reno, NV
The average last spring frost in Reno is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 11 · Jun 1 · Jun 16 | Sep 13 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 8 · Jun 2 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 6 | 181 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 | Apr 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89519 is matched to the NOAA station Stead, NV, 16.1 km away, at 5,101 ft elevation (152 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stead, NV (used) | 5,101 ft | May 8 | Oct 12 |
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV | 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 |
Frost dates near Reno
- Reno, NV 89509 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Sparks, NV 89432 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Verdi, NV 89439 · last May 8, first Oct 12
- Sun Valley, NV 89433 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
- Floriston, CA 96111 · last —, first —
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Incline Village, NV 89452 · last May 17, first Oct 13
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
- For ZIP code 89519, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stead, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89519?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.