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

Planting zone for 89405 — Empire, NV

ZIP code 89405 (Empire, Washoe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 89405 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 28

First frostOct 15

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Empire, 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 Empire, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Gerlach, NV — 15 miles away, elevation 3,954 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 89405

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 89405 came on Mar 5 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
Mar 5

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 7a in Nevada

520 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nevada, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Empire, NV.

Soil in Empire, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89405 is Veta — very gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.4%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Veta-Mazuma association.

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 89405; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Empire, NV

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, December

Hot days62days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,441base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation7.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall13 inper year; 10 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gerlach, NV (15 mi away); precipitation: Gerlach, NV (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Litchfield, CA · 41 mi

Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89405

What planting zone is ZIP code 89405?

ZIP code 89405 (Empire, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Empire, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89405 is April 28; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gerlach station.

When is the first frost in Empire, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89405 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89405?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89405 get?

About 7.8 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gerlach station).

How hot do summers get in Empire, NV?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 62 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89405 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Veta at the center of ZIP 89405: very gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Empire, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89405 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Empire, NV?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 89405 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).