Elko, NV Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
112 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
5b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 10 May 29 Jun 16
First fall frost Oct 1 Sep 18 Sep 3
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 11 · first Sep 29

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Elko Regional Airport station (2 km from central Elko). "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

Computed from Elko'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 Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🫑 Peppers Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🥬 Lettuce Apr 17 – May 1 May 1 – May 15 May 1 – May 29
🫛 Peas Apr 17 – May 1
🥕 Carrots May 8 – May 29
🥦 Broccoli Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 8 – May 22
🥬 Kale Apr 17 – May 1 May 1 – May 15 May 1 – May 15
🥒 Cucumbers May 1 – May 8 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🥒 Zucchini May 1 – May 8 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 5 – Jun 12
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 5 – Jun 12
🌿 Basil Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 7 – Sep 4

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's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Elko

At about 112 frost-free days, Elko 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, NV?

The average last spring frost in Elko is around May 29, 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, NV?

The average first fall frost in Elko arrives around Sep 18. 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?

About 112 frost-free days on average, from May 29 to Sep 18. 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 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.