Minden, NV Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 26
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
119 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 8 May 30 Jun 14
First fall frost Oct 9 Sep 26 Sep 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 6 · first Oct 8

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MINDEN 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 Minden

Computed from Minden's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 4 – Apr 18 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🫑 Peppers Mar 21 – Apr 4 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🥬 Lettuce Apr 18 – May 2 May 2 – May 16 May 2 – May 30
🫛 Peas Apr 18 – May 2
🥕 Carrots May 9 – May 30
🥦 Broccoli Apr 11 – Apr 25 May 9 – May 23
🥬 Kale Apr 18 – May 2 May 2 – May 16 May 2 – May 16
🥒 Cucumbers May 2 – May 9 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🥒 Zucchini May 2 – May 9 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 6 – Jun 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 6 – Jun 13
🌿 Basil Apr 18 – May 2 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 15 – Sep 12

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 Minden's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Minden

At about 119 frost-free days, Minden 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 Minden, NV?

The average last spring frost in Minden is around May 30, 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 Minden, NV?

The average first fall frost in Minden arrives around Sep 26. 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 Minden?

About 119 frost-free days on average, from May 30 to Sep 26. 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 Minden in?

USDA zone 7a 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.