Frost dates for 89521Reno, NV
The average last spring frost in Reno is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after Jun 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 8 · May 31 · Jun 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 12 · Jun 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 6 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 24 · May 18 | Oct 12 · Oct 31 · Nov 17 | 185 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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89521 is matched to the NOAA station Virginia City, NV, 8.2 km away, at 6,340 ft elevation (58 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia City, NV (used) | 6,340 ft | May 12 | Oct 17 |
| Reno Tahoe Intl Ap, NV | 4,410 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Sparks, NV | 4,357 ft | May 1 | Oct 10 |
| Reno Wfo, NV | 4,987 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Reno
- Reno, NV 89511 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Silver City, NV 89428 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Washoe Valley, NV 89704 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Dayton, NV 89403 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Sparks, NV 89432 · last May 1, first Oct 10
- Carson City, NV 89706 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Sun Valley, NV 89433 · last Apr 28, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
- For ZIP code 89521, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Virginia City, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 5.
- When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89521?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.