Frost dates for 89704Washoe Valley, NV
The average last spring frost in Washoe Valley is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 5 · May 26 · Jun 13 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 29 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 9 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washoe Valley
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89704 is matched to the NOAA station Carson City, NV, 16.3 km away, at 4,761 ft elevation (272 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV (used) | 4,761 ft | May 4 | Oct 6 |
| Incline Village, NV | 6,356 ft | May 17 | Oct 13 |
| Virginia City, NV | 6,340 ft | May 12 | Oct 17 |
| Glenbrook, NV | 6,350 ft | Jun 5 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Washoe Valley
- Carson City, NV 89706 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Incline Village, NV 89450 · last May 17, first Oct 13
- Virginia City, NV 89440 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Silver City, NV 89428 · last May 4, first Oct 6
- Crystal Bay, NV 89402 · last Jun 5, first Oct 9
- Reno, NV 89521 · last May 12, first Oct 17
- Kings Beach, CA 96143 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
- Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washoe Valley, NV?
- For ZIP code 89704, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carson City, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Washoe Valley, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89704?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.