Don’t plant yet? See when Reno’s average last frost hits
Spring is here, but frost risk lingers in Reno. Here’s when to plant tomatoes, the average last freeze date and which areas stay cooler.
Nevada is a gambling state, and that sentiment extends to gardening, Washoe County’s master gardener coordinator Rachel McClure told the Reno Gazette Journal IN 2025.
Any gardener in Northern Nevada knows the hobby of growing flowers, vegetables and fruits in Reno’s harsh climate is not for the faint of heart. Not only is Nevada dry, but Reno’s weather also is unpredictable and can be warm one day and freezing the next.
“But it’s also probably one of the most rewarding garden experiences I’ve ever had,” McClure said.
Whether you’re a seasoned Nevada gardener or just starting out on your apartment balcony, here’s a guide on how to create a more successful garden this upcoming spring.
When can I plant outside without my garden freezing?
With Northern Nevada’s unpredictable weather, McClure recommended watching forecasts closely and reviewing historical temperature trends.
“There’s lots of urban legend kind of things and sayings like, ‘Oh, never plant until all the snow is off Peavine (Mountain) or something like that. But if we were to follow those things, there would be years what we would never plant anything. Because some years the snow never comes off Peavine,” McClure said. “If you spent any time here, you know that it snowed on the Fourth of July before.”
With that in consideration, it’s clear there is no silver bullet to keep your plants from freezing.
On average, when are temperatures above freezing in Reno?
On average, Reno’s overnight low temperatures are above 32 degrees after March 6, according to the National Weather Service.
Average lows reach above 40 degrees by April, but record lows have still dipped well below freezing throughout April in Nevada. According to UNR’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, the last freeze typically occurs on May 15, but location matters. The North Valleys, for example, are generally around 10 degrees cooler than downtown. UNR recommends delaying planting there by one to two weeks.
Quick planting temperature guide:
Average last freeze: May 15 (according to UNR’s College of Agriculture)Average lows above freezing: After March 6Average lows by end of March: 36 degreesNorth Valleys: Typically 10 degrees cooler than downtown Reno, so delay planting by 1-2 weeksWhat plants grow best in Nevada?
Plants that mature within 70 days or less are the best for Northern Nevada’s climate, McClure said. You can usually find how long it takes for a plant to grow on the back of the seed packet. If you are at a garden shop, you can ask staff for help.
The best type of soil for the plant, the watering schedule and the plant’s other needs also should be on the seed packet or known by gardening store staff.
When can I plant my tomatoes?
Tomatoes take 60 days to more than 100 days to harvest, depending on the variety, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. This means some early varieties may be more suited to Nevada’s crazy climate. Early variety tomatoes include Early Cascade and Early Girl tomatoes, which mature in less than 70 days.
Tomatoes are also vulnerable to frost, so it is important to wait until after May 15 (typically the last killing frost in the Reno area) to plant your ruby red vegetables outside. However, the Farmer’s Almanac said you can plant your tomatoes if starting from seeds six weeks (which would be April 3) before the frost as long as you keep your vegetables inside.
When is the first day of spring?
The spring equinox (which marks the first astronomical day of spring) is on March 20, 2026. Spring will last until June 21, 2026, which is the summer solstice.
However, meteorologically, the first day of spring is March 1.
When should I plant vegetables in Nevada?
McClure recommends using the guides on seed packets to determine the best planting times. Some plants can be buried as soon as the soil is warm enough in the spring, while others are sensitive to cold or heat.
The following list also specifies whether to plant seeds or seedlings, as some vegetables grow better when transplanted rather than directly sown into the garden.
Very hardy plants
These vegetables can be planted in early spring from March 15 to May 1, according to the College of Agriculture at UNR:
Asparagus (crowns)BroccoliBrussels sproutsCabbageGarlic bulbs (fall planting is best)Horseradish (root sections or plants)KaleLettuceParsley (plants or seeds)PeasRhubarb (plants)SpinachTurnipOnionsSemi-hardy plants
These vegetables can be planted April 1 to May 1. Some of these vegetables are heat sensitive, so do not delay planting them.
Beets (can plant through June)Carrots (can plant through June)CauliflowerParsnipRadish (can plant through May)Swiss chard (can plant through May)Broccoli (plants)Brussels sprouts (plants)Cabbage (plants)Cauliflower (plants)Potato (seed potatoes or cut sections with “eyes”)Frost-tender plants
These vegetables can be planted after the last killing frost on May 15.
Celery (plants)Green beans (succession plantings through June)New Zealand spinachSweet corn (plants or seeds, succession plantings through mid‐June)Cold-sensitive plants
It is best to plant these vegetables one to two weeks after May 15 but before June 15.
Lima beansSuper sweet corn (plants or seeds)Cucumber (plants or seeds)Eggplant (plants)Melons (plants)OkraPepper (plants)PumpkinSquashSweet potato (plants)Tomato (plants)Late season plants, mid-summer to early fall
These vegetables are best planted from mid-July to Sept. 1.
BeetsCarrots (mid‐July)Chinese cabbage (late July to mid‐August)CollardKaleLettuce (mid‐August)Peas (July 1 to mid‐July)Radish (mid‐August)Spinach (mid‐August)Turnip (early July)Late season planting, late fall planting for next summer’s harvest
These vegetables are best planted in October.
Garlic (cloves)Onions (bulbs, but spring planting is best)Can I plant my garden with Nevada soil?
Nevada soil is not suitable to support vegetable or flower gardens for vegetation that does not naturally grow in the Silver State.
“If you look at what grows out in the foothills and out in the fields, that’s what (Nevada soil) supports,” McClure said. “And you will not see a lot of fruit or vegetable plants or anything like that out there. We see sagebrush, rabbit brush, all that kind of stuff.”
Just as seed packets provide guidance on when to plant, they also offer information on soil requirements. McClure recommends checking seed packets or consulting experts to determine the best soil for your chosen plants.
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