Frost dates for 89801Elko, NV
The average last spring frost in Elko is June 7 and the average first fall frost is September 12, giving a typical growing season of about 98 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 7
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 12
- Growing season
- 98 days
Safer after Jun 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 218 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) | Jun 4 · Jun 18 · Jul 1 | Aug 14 · Sep 2 · Sep 14 | 77 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 18 · Jun 7 · Jun 22 | Aug 31 · Sep 12 · Sep 25 | 98 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 1 · May 20 · Jun 11 | Sep 9 · Sep 23 · Oct 6 | 124 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elko
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 | May 7 – Jul 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 24 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 7 – Jun 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Aug 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – May 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jul 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 13 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 3 – Jun 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Aug 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jun 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89801 is matched to the NOAA station Ryndon, NV, 9.9 km away, at 5,288 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryndon, NV (used) | 5,288 ft | Jun 7 | Sep 12 |
| Elko Nws Office, NV | 5,235 ft | May 26 | Sep 23 |
| Lamoille 2N, NV | 5,750 ft | — | — |
| Lamoille Yost, NV | 5,840 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 16 |
Frost dates near Elko
- Spring Creek, NV 89815 · last —, first —
- Elko, NV 89802 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Lamoille, NV 89828 · last Jun 4, first Sep 18
- Deeth, NV 89823 · last —, first —
- Carlin, NV 89822 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Wells, NV 89835 · last Jun 10, first Sep 16
- Ruby Valley, NV 89833 · last May 27, first Sep 23
- Tuscarora, NV 89834 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elko, NV?
- For ZIP code 89801, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ryndon, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 22.
- When is the first frost in Elko, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89801?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 98 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.