Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Elko, NV
Plan your garden around Elko, NV's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 29
Safe Jun 16
Typical May 29
Risky May 10
First Fall Frost
September 18
Safe Sep 3
Typical Sep 18
Risky Oct 1
Growing Season
111 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 5b
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station ELKO RGNL AP, NV US, 2.2 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 8 – May 15 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 7 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 7 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 24 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 14 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | May 8 – May 15 | Jul 17 – Jul 24 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | May 15 – May 22 | Jul 10 – Jul 17 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 24 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 21 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 24 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 21 – Sep 4 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 7 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 22 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Elko, NV?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the ELKO RGNL AP, NV US station, the last spring frost in Elko typically falls around May 29. A cautious gardener might wait until June 16 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 10 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Elko, NV in fall?
The first fall frost in Elko typically arrives around September 18. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 3; in milder years it can hold off until October 1.
How long is the growing season in Elko, NV?
Elko's average frost-free growing season is about 111 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 29) to the typical first fall frost (September 18).
What USDA hardiness zone is Elko, NV in?
Elko, NV is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.