Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 89023 — Mercury, NV

ZIP code 89023 (Mercury, Nye County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 89023 is

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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 10

First frostNov 19

2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mercury, 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 Mercury, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 17 and returns around November 30.

From the NOAA station Mercury 3 Ssw, NV — 3 miles away, elevation 3,284 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 89023

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 89023 came on Feb 1 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 1

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 8b in Nevada

538 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nevada, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Mercury, NV.

Soil in Mercury, NV

The center of ZIP 89023 is mapped as Area not surveyed, access denied: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 89023; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mercury, NV

Summer high100 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, December

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,421base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation5.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mercury 3 Ssw, NV (3 mi away); precipitation: Mercury 3 Ssw, NV (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

890608b

Pahrump, NV · 19 mi

890188a

Indian Springs, NV · 19 mi

890708b

Indian Springs, NV · 23 mi

890208b

Amargosa Valley, NV · 25 mi

891248b

Las Vegas, NV · 25 mi

Las Vegas, NV · 37 mi

Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89023

What planting zone is ZIP code 89023?

ZIP code 89023 (Mercury, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Mercury, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89023 is March 10; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mercury 3 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Mercury, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89023 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 253 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89023?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89023 get?

About 5.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mercury 3 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Mercury, NV?

The average high peaks at 100 °F in July, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Mercury, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89023 came on Feb 1 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mercury, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89023 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.