GardenFacts

All states › Nevada › Reno

Frost dates and planting calendar for Reno, Nevada

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

USDA hardiness zone
7b[1]
Median last spring frost
Apr 20[2]
Median first fall frost
Oct 23[3]
Growing season, median
184 days[4]

The center of Reno sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b[1]. At the Reno Tahoe International Airport station, the median last spring frost is April 20[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Apr 6, half of years Apr 20, 1 in 10 years after May 5Last frostmedian Apr 20First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 3, half of years Oct 23, 1 in 10 years before Oct 11First frostmedian Oct 23Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 23 to Apr 6Mar 23 to Apr 6Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Apr 6 to Apr 20Apr 6 to Apr 20TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 20around Apr 20Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from May 4from May 4
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.

Frost dates here are odds, not promises. They come from NOAA climate normals for the Reno Tahoe International Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 20, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after May 5[2]. In half of years the first fall frost comes before October 23, and in 1 of 10 years it comes before October 11[3]. Any year can be earlier or later than these dates.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after April 6 after April 20 after May 5
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 11 before October 23 before November 3
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date April 3, median first fall date November 2[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 163 days in 9 of 10 years, 184 days in half of years and 206 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Reno Tahoe International Airport (USW00023185), 6.2 miles from the city center, 4,410 feet, 28 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension's planting guide was written for Colorado, so GardenFacts uses the NOAA median last frost of April 20 as the average last frost for Reno[6]. Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, peas and spinach can go in as early as March 23 to April 6[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as April 6, up to April 20[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans, sweet corn and cucumbers go in from seed around April 20[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and watermelon typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost, with an earliest start of May 4[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 20) is March 23 to April 6[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 20) is April 6, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 20[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 20), is May 4[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 27 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Mar 23 Jun 16 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 12
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 22
Onions (hardy)[12] Mar 23 Jul 11
Peas (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 27
Radishes (hardy)[12] Mar 23 Apr 22
Spinach (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 2
Turnips (hardy)[12] Mar 23 May 12
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 Jun 5
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 Jun 15
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 Jun 15
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 Aug 9
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Apr 6 Jun 5
Snap beans (tender)[12] Apr 20 Jun 19
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Apr 20 Jun 19
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Apr 20 Jun 14
Summer squash (tender)[12] Apr 20 Jun 9
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] May 4 Jul 28
Eggplant (very tender)[12] May 4 Jul 3 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] May 4 Jul 13 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] May 4 Jul 8 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] May 4 Aug 12
Watermelon (very tender)[12] May 4 Jul 28
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

The USDA zone is based on the average coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. Zone 7b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. Reno spans more than one zone. By land area, 55% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b, 39% in zone 7a and 6% in zone 6b[15].

Zone 7b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 5°F to 10°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 7.4°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 7b 55%, zone 7a 39%, zone 6b 6%[15].

All towns in zone 7b and what zone 7b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
89506[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89523[15] 7a 0 to 5°F
89502[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89508[15] 7a 0 to 5°F
89521[15] 7a 0 to 5°F
89509[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89511[15] 6b -5 to 0°F
89512[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89503[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89439[15] 7a 0 to 5°F
89519[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89501[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89433[15] 7b 5 to 10°F
89557[15] 7a 0 to 5°F
89431[15] 7a 0 to 5°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Reno, Nevada?
The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Reno in zone 7b[1]. Parts of the city fall in zone 7a or 6b[15].
When is the last frost in Reno?
The median last spring frost at the Reno Tahoe International Airport station is April 20[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after May 5[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Reno?
CSU Extension groups tomatoes as very tender vegetables, typically planted 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. For Reno the earliest start is May 4[11].
When is the first frost in Reno?
The median first fall frost is October 23[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 11[3].
How long is the growing season in Reno?
In half of years the growing season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 184 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it is at least 163 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Reno, Nevada in zone 7b. Zone 7b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 7.4°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 April 6, in half of years after April 20, and in 1 of 10 years after May 5 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 20. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 11, in half of years before October 23, and in 9 of 10 years before November 3 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is October 23. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 163 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 184 days in half of years, and at least 206 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Reno Tahoe International Airport weather station (USW00023185), 6.2 miles from the center of Reno at 4,410 feet, using 28 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 April 3 and the median first fall date is November 2. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% 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. Reno, Nevada overlaps 15 ZIP code areas. By land area, 55% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b, 39% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7a, 6% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6b. 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.