Frost dates for 89802Elko, NV
The average last spring frost in Elko is May 29 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 111 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 111 days
Safer after Jun 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 214 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 27 · Jun 12 · Jun 30 | Aug 23 · Sep 7 · Sep 21 | 86 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 10 · May 29 · Jun 16 | Sep 3 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 111 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 11 · May 31 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 14 | 139 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 | Apr 28 – Jul 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 89802 is matched to the NOAA station Elko Rgnl Ap, NV, 2.2 km away, at 5,030 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elko Rgnl Ap, NV (used) | 5,030 ft | May 29 | Sep 18 |
| Elko Nws Office, NV | 5,235 ft | May 26 | Sep 23 |
| S Fk State Rec Area, NV | 5,270 ft | — | — |
| Ryndon, NV | 5,288 ft | Jun 7 | Sep 12 |
Frost dates near Elko
- Elko, NV 89803 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Spring Creek, NV 89815 · last —, first —
- Carlin, NV 89822 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Lamoille, NV 89828 · last Jun 4, first Sep 18
- Deeth, NV 89823 · last —, first —
- Ruby Valley, NV 89833 · last May 27, first Sep 23
- Tuscarora, NV 89834 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Wells, NV 89835 · last Jun 10, first Sep 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elko, NV?
- For ZIP code 89802, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elko Rgnl Ap, NV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 16.
- When is the first frost in Elko, NV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 89802?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 111 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.