When Is the Last Frost in Nevada?
The average last spring frost in Nevada falls between January 24 and June 4 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 20. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | Jan 24 | Feb 19 | Dec 10 | 323 days |
| Henderson | Jan 20 | Feb 14 | Dec 15 | 333 days |
| North Las Vegas | Feb 1 | Feb 24 | Dec 8 | 311 days |
| Reno | Apr 28 | May 19 | Oct 27 | 182 days |
| Sparks | May 3 | May 24 | Oct 10 | 157 days |
| Carson City | May 4 | May 29 | Oct 6 | 152 days |
| Fernley | May 9 | May 28 | Oct 1 | 145 days |
| Mesquite | Mar 16 | Apr 5 | Nov 13 | 238 days |
| Elko | Jun 16 | Jun 30 | Sep 13 | 89 days |
| Boulder City | Feb 4 | Feb 27 | Dec 5 | 302 days |
| Fallon | Apr 18 | May 9 | Oct 25 | 188 days |
| Winnemucca | May 31 | Jun 19 | Sep 17 | 108 days |
| West Wendover | May 12 | May 28 | Sep 30 | 139 days |
| Ely | Jun 12 | Jun 28 | Sep 13 | 91 days |
| Yerington | Apr 29 | May 16 | Oct 15 | 167 days |
| Carlin | Jun 2 | Jun 18 | Sep 17 | 105 days |
| Lovelock | May 19 | Jun 9 | Sep 24 | 125 days |
| Wells | Jun 10 | Jun 26 | Sep 16 | 94 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 109 Nevada weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from January 5 at Laughlin, NV to June 16 at Jiggs 2 NE, NV. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Nevada?
The average first fall frost in Nevada arrives between September 18 and December 10 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 26. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Las Vegas has a 10% chance of frost before November 24, Henderson has a 10% chance of frost before November 28 and North Las Vegas has a 10% chance of frost before November 23. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Nevada?
Transplant tomatoes in Nevada 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Jan 31 – Feb 7 in Las Vegas, Jan 27 – Feb 3 in Henderson and Feb 8 – Feb 15 in North Las Vegas. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | after Feb 19 |
| Henderson | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | after Feb 14 |
| North Las Vegas | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | after Feb 24 |
| Reno | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 12 | after May 19 |
| Sparks | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 17 | after May 24 |
| Carson City | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 18 | after May 29 |
| Fernley | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 23 | after May 28 |
| Mesquite | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | after Apr 5 |
| Elko | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 23 – Jun 30 | after Jun 30 |
| Boulder City | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | after Feb 27 |
| Fallon | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 9 |
| Winnemucca | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | after Jun 19 |
| West Wendover | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – May 26 | after May 28 |
| Ely | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | after Jun 28 |
| Yerington | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 16 |
| Carlin | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 | after Jun 18 |
| Lovelock | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 2 | after Jun 9 |
| Wells | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 17 – Jun 24 | after Jun 26 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Las Vegas and When?
Las Vegas's average last frost of January 24 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from December 13, broccoli and lettuce transplants from December 27, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after January 31.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Dec 13 – Dec 27direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Dec 13 – Jan 3direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Dec 20 – Jan 3direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Dec 27 – Jan 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Dec 27 – Jan 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Dec 27 – Jan 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Dec 27 – Jan 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Dec 27 – Jan 10direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Jan 3 – Jan 10direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 31 – Feb 7transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 31 – Feb 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | Feb 7 – Feb 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | Feb 7 – Feb 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Dec 27 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Dec 27 – Jan 3 | Jan 31 – Feb 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Dec 27 – Jan 3 | Feb 7 – Feb 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Las Vegas (last frost Jan 24, NOAA station Las Vegas Air Terminal, NV, 6 miles from ZIP 89129). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Nevada?
The frost-free growing season in Nevada lasts about 108 to 323 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 185 days. Among the listed cities, Elko has the shortest season at 89 days and Henderson the longest at 333.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Nevada range from 86 days at Jarbidge 7 N, NV to 354 days at Laughlin, NV. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Nevada?
Nevada spans USDA hardiness zones 5a to 10a, with zone 9b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Nevada planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Nevada?
- The average last spring frost in Nevada falls between January 24 and June 4 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 20. Among major cities it ranges from January 20 in Henderson to June 16 in Elko.
- When is the last frost in Las Vegas, Nevada?
- Las Vegas's average last spring frost is January 24, and by February 19 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages December 10, giving a 323-day growing season (NOAA station Las Vegas Air Terminal, NV).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Nevada?
- Transplant tomatoes in Nevada 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Jan 31 – Feb 7 in Las Vegas, Jan 27 – Feb 3 in Henderson and Feb 8 – Feb 15 in North Las Vegas. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Nevada?
- The average first fall frost in Nevada arrives between September 18 and December 10 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 26. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Nevada?
- The frost-free growing season in Nevada lasts about 108 to 323 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 185 days, from 89 days in Elko to 333 days in Henderson.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.