Elko NWS Office, NV Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Elko NWS Office garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
120 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 8 May 26 Jun 12
First fall frost Oct 6 Sep 23 Sep 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 9 · first Oct 4

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ELKO NWS OFFICE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Elko NWS Office

Computed from Elko NWS Office's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 31 – Apr 14 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🫑 Peppers Mar 17 – Mar 31 Jun 9 – Jun 16
🥬 Lettuce Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 12 Apr 28 – May 26
🫛 Peas Apr 14 – Apr 28
🥕 Carrots May 5 – May 26
🥦 Broccoli Apr 7 – Apr 21 May 5 – May 19
🥬 Kale Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 12 Apr 28 – May 12
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 28 – May 5 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🥒 Zucchini Apr 28 – May 5 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 2 – Jun 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 2 – Jun 9
🌿 Basil Apr 14 – Apr 28 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 9 – Jun 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 12 – Sep 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Elko NWS Office's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Elko NWS Office

At about 120 frost-free days, Elko NWS Office rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Elko NWS Office, NV?

The average last spring frost in Elko NWS Office is around May 26, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Elko NWS Office, NV?

The average first fall frost in Elko NWS Office arrives around Sep 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Elko NWS Office?

About 120 frost-free days on average, from May 26 to Sep 23. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Elko NWS Office in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.