Frost Dates for Elko, NV 89801
Last spring frost June 16 · First fall frost September 10 · 86 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 89801 has about 26,500 people.
Short season: 86 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 26–July 6 (41 days). Fall frost risk spans August 22–September 26 (35 days).
Frost probability for 89801
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 6 | June 16 | May 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 22 | September 10 | September 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TUSCARORA (41.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 86-day season in Elko
In Elko (86 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 12 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 12 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Elko has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Pepper | May 5 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Elko has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 121 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 20 |
| Carrots | — | May 26–Jun 2 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 26. | Jul 9 |
| Cucumber | May 26 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 58 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 30, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 72 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Peas | — | Apr 21–Jun 30 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 21. | Jun 30 |
| Zucchini | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 58 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 58 available after Jun 30. | — |
| Onion | Mar 24 | May 19–Jun 2 | 121 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 21–Jun 9 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 8 |
| Kale | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 19. | Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 19. | Jul 9 |
| Radish | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Sep 17. | Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 10 | 191 | overwinter: Plant Sep 10 to Oct 1; harvest the following summer. | Oct 1 |
| Strawberry | — | May 12–Jul 7 | 142 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 19 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 58 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 23, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jun 30 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Elko has 51 after Jun 30. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 5 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 9. | Jun 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 107 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 2. | Jul 10 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 19. | Jun 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Elko has 51 after Jun 30. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 28 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Elko has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Okra | May 19 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 65 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Basil | May 12 | Jul 7–Jul 7 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 7, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 19–Jun 9 | 121 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Parsley | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 86 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 23. | Jun 25 |
| Celery | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 86 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Elko has 86 after Jun 23. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Turnip | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 5–May 19 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Bok Choy | May 19 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 100 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 9. | Jul 20 |
| Collards | Apr 7 | May 19–Jun 2 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Elko has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Chives | Mar 24 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 21–Jul 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Oregano | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 24 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 86 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Sage | Apr 21 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 7 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Calendula | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 107 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 2. | Jul 15 |
| Cosmos | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 72 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Lavender | Mar 24 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Marigolds | May 5 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 72 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 16. | Jun 24 |
| Melons | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 44 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Elko has 44 after Jun 30. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 107 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 72 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 16. | Jun 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 23–Jul 7 | 65 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 65 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Elko has 51 after Jun 30. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 72 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 21 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Elko has 51 after Jun 23. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 2 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 51 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Elko has 51 after Jun 23. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 2 | Jun 30–Jul 7 | 58 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 58 available after Jun 30. | — |
| Zinnias | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 72 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 16. | — |
Month by month in Elko
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 24), Lavender (Mar 24), Onion (Mar 24), Rosemary (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Celery (Apr 7), Collards (Apr 7), Kale (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), Scallions (Apr 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 21), Beets (Apr 21), Dill (Apr 21), Peas (Apr 21), Radish (Apr 21), Spinach (Apr 21). |
| May | Start indoors: Calendula (May 5), Cauliflower (May 5), Marigolds (May 5), Pepper (May 5), Basil (May 12), Tomato (May 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (May 5), Cilantro (May 19), Turnip (May 19), Carrots (May 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 19), Brussel Sprouts (May 19), Cabbage (May 19), Collards (May 19), Kale (May 19), Lettuce (May 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 12). |
| June | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Jun 2), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Beans (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Jun 2), Swiss Chard (Jun 2), Bok Choy (Jun 9), Cauliflower (Jun 9), Cosmos (Jun 16), Lavender (Jun 16), +26 more. Last frost around June 16. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 9), Broccoli (Jun 15), Nasturtiums (Jun 19), Cauliflower (Jun 20), Marigolds (Jun 24), Parsley (Jun 25), +1 more. |
| July | Transplant from: Basil (Jul 7). Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 9), Carrots (Jul 9), Beets (Jul 10), Dill (Jul 10), Swiss Chard (Jul 10), Calendula (Jul 15), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 8), Spinach (Aug 8), Radish (Aug 9). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 10). First frost around September 10. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 1). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Elko, NV (ZIP 89801)?
The median last spring frost date for Elko, NV (ZIP code 89801) is around June 16. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 26; one in ten it runs past July 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Elko, NV?
The median first fall frost date for Elko, NV is around September 10. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around August 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elko, NV?
The frost-free growing season in Elko is about 86 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Elko (86 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 12 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Elko, NV?
Elko, NV is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Elko, NV?
Start tomatoes indoors May 12 and plant out Jun 30 in Elko. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elko?
Two: plant May 19 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 17.
When do I plant garlic in Elko?
Sep 10 to Oct 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Elko?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Elko has 86 after Jun 23.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Spring Creek (ZIP 89815) has 96 frost-free days, 10 more than Elko (ZIP 89801). See Spring Creek ZIP 89815 frost dates
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