Last frost date in Reno, NV

Average last frost
April 28

The average last frost in Reno is April 28. By May 19 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 182 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 19
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
182 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 10
Next 6 nights in Reno

Frost likely Fri night, low 32°F

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2332°frost
  3. SatOct 2434°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2537°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2738°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 28First frost Oct 27182 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND182 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Reno Wfo, 3.2 miles from Reno.

Planting calendar for Reno

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Nevada.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 5–May 19
PumpkinsMay 12–May 26
SunflowersApr 28–May 19
CucumbersMay 12–May 19
CornMay 5–May 19
Sweet potatoesMay 19–Jun 2
WatermelonMay 12–May 26
Green beansMay 5–May 26
ZucchiniMay 5–May 19
OkraMay 19–Jun 2
PeppersMay 12–May 26
BasilMay 5–May 19
Butternut squashMay 5–May 19
CantaloupeMay 12–May 26
EggplantMay 12–May 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 31–Apr 14
OnionsMar 17–Apr 7
CarrotsApr 7–May 12
LettuceApr 14–May 5
BroccoliMar 31–Apr 14
BeetsMar 31–May 12
PeasMar 17–Mar 31
CabbageMar 31–Apr 14
RadishesMar 24–May 5
Brussels sproutsApr 14–Apr 28
SpinachMar 17–Apr 7
CilantroApr 14–May 5
KaleMar 31–Apr 14
Collard greensMar 31–Apr 14
TurnipsMar 31–Apr 14
DillApr 28–May 12
CeleryMay 5–May 12
CauliflowerApr 14–Apr 28
LeeksApr 14–Apr 28
Swiss chardApr 14–May 12
ParsleyApr 14–May 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 31–Apr 14
AsparagusMar 31–Apr 14

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 9Apr 28May 19Oct 10Oct 27Nov 10
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 18Apr 10May 2Oct 23Nov 8Nov 23

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Reno Wfo (USC00266791) sits 3.2 miles from the center of Reno at 4,987 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Reno, NV?

The average last frost date in Reno is April 28, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 19.

When is the first frost in Reno?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 10.

How long is the growing season in Reno?

About 182 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Reno?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 5 to May 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nevada

All 15 cities in Nevada