GardenFacts

All states › Nevada › Las Vegas

Frost dates and planting calendar for Las Vegas, Nevada

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
9a[1]
Median last spring frost
Jan 24[2]
Median first fall frost
Dec 10[3]
Growing season, median
323 days[4]

Las Vegas sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a at the city center[1]. At the NOAA station near the city, the median last spring frost is January 24[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frostmedian Jan 24First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 29, half of years Dec 10, 1 in 10 years before Nov 24First frostmedian Dec 10Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Dec 27 to Jan 10Dec 27 to Jan 10Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Jan 10 to Jan 24Jan 10 to Jan 24TenderTender vegetables: plant around Jan 24around Jan 24Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Feb 7from Feb 7
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Las Vegas Air Terminal weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after January 24, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after February 19[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before December 10 in half of years, and before November 24 in 1 of 10 years[3]. These are odds from past records, not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after December 27 after January 24 after February 19
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 24 before December 10 before December 29
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date January 2, median first fall date December 25[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 289 days in 9 of 10 years, 323 days in half of years and 351 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 96.7% of years and 28°F or colder in 57.7% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Las Vegas Air Terminal (USW00053123), 4.1 miles from the city center, 2,203 feet, 19 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension sorts vegetables into groups by how much cold they can take, and its guide was written for Colorado[6]. GardenFacts applies those rules to the Las Vegas median last frost of January 24[9]. Hardy vegetables such as lettuce, peas and spinach can go in as early as December 27 to January 10[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as January 10, up to January 24[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around January 24[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers have an earliest start of February 7[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (January 24) is December 27 to January 10[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (January 24) is January 10, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, January 24[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (January 24), is February 7[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Mar 2 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Mar 22 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Feb 15
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Feb 25
Onions (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Apr 16
Peas (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Mar 2
Radishes (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Jan 26
Spinach (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Feb 5
Turnips (hardy)[12] Dec 27 Feb 15
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 Mar 11
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 Mar 21
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 Mar 21
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 May 15
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Jan 10 Mar 11
Snap beans (tender)[12] Jan 24 Mar 25
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Jan 24 Mar 25
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Jan 24 Mar 20
Summer squash (tender)[12] Jan 24 Mar 15
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Feb 7 May 3
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Feb 7 Apr 8 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Feb 7 Apr 18 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Feb 7 Apr 13 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Feb 7 May 18
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Feb 7 May 3
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

A USDA hardiness zone is based on the average coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. Zone 9a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 20°F to 25°F[1]. The zone tells you which perennial plants are most likely to survive the winter, not when to plant vegetables[14]. Las Vegas spans more than one zone: by land area, 48% lies in zone 9a, 28% in zone 8b and 25% in zone 9b[15].

Zone 9a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 20°F to 25°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 23.9°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 9a 48%, zone 8b 28%, zone 9b 25%[15].

All towns in zone 9a and what zone 9a means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
89138[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
89124[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
89131[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89149[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89108[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89166[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
89129[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89130[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89134[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89117[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89128[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89107[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89101[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89106[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89144[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89102[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89145[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89110[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89143[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89104[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89146[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89109[15] 9b 25 to 30°F
89135[15] 9a 20 to 25°F
89030[15] 9b 25 to 30°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Las Vegas?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Las Vegas in zone 9a[1]. Parts of the city fall in zones 8b and 9b[15].
When is the last frost in Las Vegas?
At the NOAA Las Vegas Air Terminal station, the median last spring frost is January 24[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after February 19[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Las Vegas?
Colorado State University Extension says very tender vegetables like tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. For Las Vegas, the earliest start by that rule is February 7[11].
When is the first frost in Las Vegas?
The median first fall frost is December 10[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 24[3].
How long is the growing season in Las Vegas?
In half of years the growing season lasts at least 323 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it lasts at least 289 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Las Vegas, Nevada in zone 9a. Zone 9a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 20°F to 25°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 23.9°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after December 27, in half of years after January 24, and in 1 of 10 years after February 19 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is January 24. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 24, in half of years before December 10, and in 9 of 10 years before December 29 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is December 10. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 289 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 323 days in half of years, and at least 351 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Las Vegas Air Terminal weather station (USW00053123), 4.1 miles from the center of Las Vegas at 2,203 feet, using 19 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is January 2 and the median first fall date is December 25. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 96.7% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 57.7% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Las Vegas, Nevada overlaps 24 ZIP code areas. By land area, 48% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 9a, 28% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b, 25% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 9b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.