Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Gardnerville, NV

Gardnerville, NV is in USDA zones 6b to 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 6.

Gardnerville on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones6b–7a−5 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMay 12

First frostOct 6

Growing season145 days

6b 1 ZIP 7a 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gardnerville, NV…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Gardnerville, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Topaz Lake, NV, elevation 5,292 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Gardnerville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 6) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 89460 came on Mar 6 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
Mar 6

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Nevada

508 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nevada, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gardnerville, NV.

Soil in Gardnerville, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89460 is Jubilee — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jubilee loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 89460; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardnerville, NV

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days68days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,329base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation9.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Minden, NV (4 mi away); precipitation: Minden, NV (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Gardnerville

Nevada planting zones →

Questions about Gardnerville

What planting zone is Gardnerville, NV?

Gardnerville, NV is in USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7a on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F; 7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Gardnerville, NV?

The median last spring frost is May 12 and the median first fall frost is October 6 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Topaz Lake station).

When can I plant a garden in Gardnerville, NV?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 31 – Apr 21; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 19, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Gardnerville, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Gardnerville, NV get?

About 9.3 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).