Last frost date in Sparks, NV

Average last frost
May 1

In Sparks, the last spring frost comes around May 1 in an average year. Wait until May 25 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 10, which leaves 160 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 25
Average first frost
Oct 10
Frost-free season
160 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 16
Next 6 nights in Sparks

Frost likely Fri night, low 29°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2237°
  2. FriOct 2329°frost
  3. SatOct 2430°frost
  4. SunOct 2532°frost
  5. MonOct 2633°possible frost
  6. TueOct 2734°possible frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 1First frost Oct 10160 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND160 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Sparks, 1.6 miles from Sparks.

Planting calendar for Sparks

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 8–May 22
PumpkinsMay 15–May 29
SunflowersMay 1–May 22
CucumbersMay 15–May 22
CornMay 8–May 22
Sweet potatoesMay 22–Jun 5
WatermelonMay 15–May 29
Green beansMay 8–May 29
ZucchiniMay 8–May 22
OkraMay 22–Jun 5
PeppersMay 15–May 29
BasilMay 8–May 22
Butternut squashMay 8–May 22
CantaloupeMay 15–May 29
EggplantMay 15–May 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 3–Apr 17
OnionsMar 20–Apr 10
CarrotsApr 10–May 15
LettuceApr 17–May 8
BroccoliApr 3–Apr 17
BeetsApr 3–May 15
PeasMar 20–Apr 3
CabbageApr 3–Apr 17
RadishesMar 27–May 8
Brussels sproutsApr 17–May 1
SpinachMar 20–Apr 10
CilantroApr 17–May 8
KaleApr 3–Apr 17
Collard greensApr 3–Apr 17
TurnipsApr 3–Apr 17
DillMay 1–May 15
CeleryMay 8–May 15
CauliflowerApr 17–May 1
LeeksApr 17–May 1
Swiss chardApr 17–May 15
ParsleyApr 17–May 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 26–Oct 31
GarlicSep 19–Oct 24
Daffodil bulbsSep 12–Oct 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 3–Apr 17
AsparagusApr 3–Apr 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 17May 1May 25Sep 29Oct 10Oct 24
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 16May 2Oct 7Oct 23Nov 6

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 Sparks (USC00267697) sits 1.6 miles from the center of Sparks at 4,357 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 Sparks, NV?

The average last frost date in Sparks is May 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 25.

When is the first frost in Sparks?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 10. One year in ten it arrives before September 29.

How long is the growing season in Sparks?

About 160 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sparks?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 8 to May 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nevada

All 15 cities in Nevada