Planting guide

When to Plant in Nevada: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar

Quick answer

Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 181 Nevada ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 20 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 5 areas: Jun 14 – Jun 21; Zone 6 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 7 areas: May 10 – May 17; Zone 8 areas: Mar 29 – Apr 5; Zone 9 areas: Feb 8 – Feb 15.

Nevada spans USDA hardiness zones 5a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 181 of its 181 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 20 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Jan 24 – Jun 4) and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (Sep 18 – Dec 10). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.

Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.

How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).

Nevada frost dates by zone area

Zone areasMost common nearest NOAA stationsMedian last spring frost (32°F)Median first fall frost (32°F)
Zone 5 (11 ZIP codes)Jiggs 2Ne, NV, Mcgill, NV, Ely Yelland Fld Airport, NVJun 7middle 80%: May 31 – Jun 16Sep 15middle 80%: Sep 12 – Sep 19
Zone 6 (35 ZIP codes)Smoky Valley - Carvers, NV, Dagget Pass, NV, Minden, NVMay 24middle 80%: May 2 – Jun 7Sep 28middle 80%: Sep 13 – Oct 13
Zone 7 (51 ZIP codes)Virginia City, NV, Reno Wfo, NV, Sparks, NVMay 3middle 80%: Apr 18 – May 17Oct 17middle 80%: Oct 4 – Oct 27
Zone 8 (15 ZIP codes)Desert Nwr, NV, Pahrump 4 Nw, NV, Red Rock Canyon - Spg Mt Rch S, NVMar 22middle 80%: Mar 13 – Apr 12Nov 7middle 80%: Oct 31 – Nov 20
Zone 9 (68 ZIP codes)Las Vegas Air Terminal, NV, N Las Vegas, NV, Las Vegas Wfo, NVFeb 1middle 80%: Jan 20 – Mar 7Dec 8middle 80%: Nov 22 – Dec 15

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.

How this table is built: each Nevada ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Bullhead City, AZ, Eskdale, UT, Jess Valley, CA, Verdi 2W, CA). For your own ZIP, use the planner.

Nevada vegetable planting calendar

Planting dates for each zone area of Nevada, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.

Plant, task and ruleZone 5 areasLast frost Jun 7 · First frost Sep 15Zone 6 areasLast frost May 24 · First frost Sep 28Zone 7 areasLast frost May 3 · First frost Oct 17Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 22 · First frost Nov 7Zone 9 areasLast frost Feb 1 · First frost Dec 8
Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frostMar 29 – Apr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Feb 22 – Mar 8Jan 11 – Jan 25Nov 23 – Dec 7
Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frostMar 29 – Apr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Feb 22 – Mar 8Jan 11 – Jan 25Nov 23 – Dec 7
Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frostMar 29 – Apr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Feb 22 – Mar 8Jan 11 – Jan 25Nov 23 – Dec 7
Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frostApr 12 – Apr 26Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 8 – Mar 22Jan 25 – Feb 8Dec 7 – Dec 21
Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frostApr 12 – Apr 26Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 8 – Mar 22Jan 25 – Feb 8Dec 7 – Dec 21
Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frostApr 12 – Apr 26Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 8 – Mar 22Jan 25 – Feb 8Dec 7 – Dec 21
Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frostApr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 29Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 24Feb 8 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) Apr 9 – May 13Dec 21 – Jan 4Harvest (est.) Feb 19, 2026 – Mar 25, 2026
Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frostApr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 9Apr 12 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 25Mar 22 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 6 – Jun 4Feb 8 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) Mar 25 – Apr 23Dec 21 – Jan 4Harvest (est.) Feb 4, 2026 – Mar 5, 2026
Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frostApr 26 – May 10Apr 12 – Apr 26Mar 22 – Apr 5Feb 8 – Feb 22Dec 21 – Jan 4
Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frostMay 3 – May 24Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 23Apr 19 – May 10Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 9Mar 29 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Apr 18 – May 19Feb 15 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) Mar 7 – Apr 7Dec 28 – Jan 18Harvest (est.) Jan 17, 2026 – Feb 17, 2026
Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frostMay 10 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jul 9 – Aug 12Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 29Apr 5 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 8Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) Apr 23 – May 27Jan 4 – Jan 18Harvest (est.) Mar 5 – Apr 8
Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frostMay 10 – May 24Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Sep 21Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Sep 7Apr 5 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Aug 17Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jul 6Jan 4 – Jan 18Harvest (est.) Mar 30 – May 18
Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frostMay 10 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jun 29 – Aug 2Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 19Apr 5 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 28Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) Apr 13 – May 17Jan 4 – Jan 18Harvest (est.) Feb 23 – Mar 29
Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frostMay 10 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 22Apr 26 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jul 18Feb 22 – Mar 8Harvest (est.) May 3 – Jun 6Jan 4 – Jan 18Harvest (est.) Mar 15 – Apr 18
Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frostMay 10 – May 24Apr 26 – May 10Apr 5 – Apr 19Feb 22 – Mar 8Jan 4 – Jan 18
Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho)May 17 – Jun 7May 3 – May 24Apr 12 – May 3Mar 1 – Mar 22Jan 11 – Feb 1
Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho)May 17 – Jun 7May 3 – May 24Apr 12 – May 3Mar 1 – Mar 22Jan 11 – Feb 1
Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frostMay 24 – May 31Harvest (est.) Aug 17 – Sep 18May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Sep 4Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jul 13 – Aug 14Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jul 3Jan 18 – Jan 25Harvest (est.) Apr 13 – May 15
Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho)Jun 7 – Jun 21May 24 – Jun 7May 3 – May 17Mar 22 – Apr 5Feb 1 – Feb 15
Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho)Jun 7 – Jun 21May 24 – Jun 7May 3 – May 17Mar 22 – Apr 5Feb 1 – Feb 15
Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Aug 23 – Sep 15 (first fall frost)May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 9 – Sep 5May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 4Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 16
Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Jul 29 – Aug 30May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 16May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 26Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 13 – Jun 14Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Mar 25 – Apr 26
Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Aug 18 – Sep 15 (first fall frost)May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Aug 4 – Sep 5May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Aug 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 4Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 16
Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Aug 25May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Aug 11May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 21Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 9Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Mar 20 – Apr 21
Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Jul 24 – Aug 10May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Jul 27May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 6Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 8 – May 25Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Mar 20 – Apr 6
Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 28Harvest (est.) Sep 2 – Sep 15 (first fall frost)May 31 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 19 – Sep 22May 10 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jul 29 – Sep 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 21Feb 8 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – Jun 2
Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frostJun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 2May 31 – Jun 7Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Jul 19May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jun 28Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) May 10 – May 17Feb 8 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Mar 22 – Mar 29
Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frostJun 21 – Jun 28Harvest (est.) Aug 25 – Sep 11Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Aug 28May 17 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jul 21 – Aug 7Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 9 – Jun 26Feb 15 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) Apr 21 – May 8
Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frostJun 21 – Jun 28Harvest (est.) Aug 30 – Sep 15 (first fall frost)Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 16 – Sep 12May 17 – May 24Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jul 11Feb 15 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 23
Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frostJun 23 – Jul 7Harvest (est.) Aug 12 – Sep 15Jul 6 – Jul 20Harvest (est.) Aug 25 – Sep 28Jul 25 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Sep 13 – Oct 17Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Nov 7Sep 15 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Nov 4 – Dec 8
Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frostJun 23 – Jul 7Harvest (est.) Sep 1 – Oct 5Jul 6 – Jul 20Harvest (est.) Sep 14 – Oct 18Jul 25 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Oct 3 – Nov 6Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Oct 24 – Nov 27Sep 15 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Nov 24 – Dec 28
Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frostJul 7 – Jul 21Harvest (est.) Aug 26 – Sep 29Jul 20 – Aug 3Harvest (est.) Sep 8 – Oct 12Aug 8 – Aug 22Harvest (est.) Sep 27 – Oct 31Aug 29 – Sep 12Harvest (est.) Oct 18 – Nov 21Sep 29 – Oct 13Harvest (est.) Nov 18 – Dec 22
Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frostJul 21 – Aug 4Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23Aug 3 – Aug 17Harvest (est.) Oct 2 – Nov 5Aug 22 – Sep 5Harvest (est.) Oct 21 – Nov 24Sep 12 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Nov 11 – Dec 15Oct 13 – Oct 27Harvest (est.) Dec 12 – Jan 15, 2027
Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)Jul 28 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 17Aug 10 – Aug 31Harvest (est.) Sep 24 – Oct 30Aug 29 – Sep 19Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 18Sep 19 – Oct 10Harvest (est.) Nov 3 – Dec 9Oct 20 – Nov 10Harvest (est.) Dec 4 – Jan 9, 2027
Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frostAug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Aug 24 – Sep 17Aug 17 – Aug 31Harvest (est.) Sep 6 – Sep 30Sep 5 – Sep 19Harvest (est.) Sep 25 – Oct 19Sep 26 – Oct 10Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 9Oct 27 – Nov 10Harvest (est.) Nov 16 – Dec 10
Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers)Aug 18 – Sep 29Aug 31 – Oct 12Sep 19 – Oct 31Oct 10 – Nov 21Nov 10 – Dec 22
Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers)Sep 1 – Oct 13Sep 14 – Oct 26Oct 3 – Nov 14Oct 24 – Dec 5Nov 24 – Jan 5
Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech)Sep 1 – Oct 6Harvest (est.) May 9, 2027 – Jul 3, 2027Sep 14 – Oct 19Harvest (est.) May 22, 2027 – Jul 16, 2027Oct 3 – Nov 7Harvest (est.) Jun 10, 2027 – Aug 4, 2027Oct 24 – Nov 28Harvest (est.) Jul 1, 2027 – Aug 25, 2027Nov 24 – Dec 29Harvest (est.) Aug 1, 2027 – Sep 25, 2027

About the harvest estimates

Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.

Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.

Growing notes for each crop
  • Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
  • Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
  • Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
  • Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
  • Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
  • Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
  • Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
  • Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
  • Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
  • Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
  • Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
  • Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
  • Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
  • Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
  • Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
  • Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
  • Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
  • Basil: Very cold-sensitive
  • Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
  • Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
  • Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
  • Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
  • Garlic: Harvest the following early summer

Nevada USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide

How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).

Tips for Nevada gardeners

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Nevada?

Across the 181 Nevada ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 20, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Jan 24 to Jun 4. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.

When can I plant tomatoes in Nevada?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 5 areas: Jun 14 – Jun 21; Zone 6 areas: May 31 – Jun 7; Zone 7 areas: May 10 – May 17; Zone 8 areas: Mar 29 – Apr 5; Zone 9 areas: Feb 8 – Feb 15.

What USDA zone is Nevada?

Nevada spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.

Other state planting calendars

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