In Reno, NV, the average last spring frost is Apr 20 and the average first fall frost is Oct 23, which leaves about 184 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Reno Tahoe International Airport, NV weather station, at 4,410 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as May 5, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 11.
Frost dates for Reno, NV
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Apr 6 | Nov 3 | 211 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 20 | Oct 23 | 184 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | May 5 | Oct 11 | 159 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Reno, NV
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Peppers | Feb 9 to Feb 23 | May 4 to May 11 | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 to Feb 23 | May 4 to May 11 | – |
| Onions | Feb 9 to Feb 23 | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | – |
| Parsley | Feb 9 to Feb 23 | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 23 to Mar 9 | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | Jul 31 to Aug 28 |
| Basil | Mar 9 to Mar 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 23 | Jul 31 to Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 31 to Aug 28 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 31 to Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 31 to Aug 28 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 20 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 20 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | Jul 20 to Aug 3 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | Jul 10 to Jul 24 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | Jul 20 to Aug 3 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | May 4 to May 18 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 to May 18 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (32°F), Mon 16 night (21°F), Tue 17 night (23°F), Wed 18 night (24°F), Thu 19 night (22°F), Fri 20 night (19°F), Sat 21 night (21°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Mon 16 night | 21°F | Freeze |
| Tue 17 night | 23°F | Freeze |
| Wed 18 night | 24°F | Freeze |
| Thu 19 night | 22°F | Freeze |
| Fri 20 night | 19°F | Freeze |
| Sat 21 night | 21°F | Freeze |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Reno, NV
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Reno, NV?
The average last spring frost is Apr 20. A late frost as far out as May 5 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Reno, NV?
The average first fall frost is Oct 23. It can arrive as early as Oct 11 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Reno, NV?
The average freeze-free season is about 184 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Reno Tahoe International Airport, NV station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.