When to plant in Reno, NV
USDA Zone 7bReno, Nevada frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Reno, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Reno is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
RENO WFO · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Reno’s own odds, recorded at RENO WFO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 5 | May 14 | Apr 25 | Sep 28 | Oct 15 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | May 19 | Apr 28 | Apr 9 | Oct 10 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 10 | Mar 18 | Oct 23 | Nov 8 | Nov 23 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Reno, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Reno planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Reno, NV?
On average, the last spring frost in Reno is around April 28 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Reno, NV?
The first fall frost in Reno typically arrives around October 27 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Reno in?
Reno is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Reno?
There are roughly 182 frost-free days in Reno (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 28 to the first fall frost near October 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Reno?
In Reno, start tomato seeds indoors around March 3–March 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Reno
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Reno’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Sun Valley · 9 km
- Sparks · 12 km
- Cold Springs · 19 km
- Spanish Springs · 19 km
- Truckee · 37 km
- Dayton · 40 km
- Carson · 45 km
- Fernley · 57 km
Frost dates recorded at RENO WFO, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Reno, NV — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00266791. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/nevada/reno.