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

Planting zone for 89431 — Sparks, NV

ZIP code 89431 (Sparks, Washoe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 89431 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 10
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 Sparks, 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 Sparks, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Sparks, NV — within 1 mile, elevation 4,357 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 89431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 89431 came on Mar 1 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FCalifornia red fir150 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 103

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbigtooth maple38 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −31 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 248

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 132

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Sparks, NV.

Soil in Sparks, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89431 is Voltaire — clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigated and reclaimed of excess salts and sodiumUSDA classification

Map unit: Voltaire clay loam, gravelly substratum.

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 89431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sparks, NV

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,956base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation8.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year; 6 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 32 °F 60°32° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 36 °F 65°36° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 43 °F 74°43° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 49 °F 84°49° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 55 °F 92°55° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 53 °F 91°53° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 46 °F 84°46° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 37 °F 72°37° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 25 °F 47°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.28 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 1.3❄2 JanFebruary: 1.00 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 1.0❄1 FebMarch: 0.85 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 0.8❄1 MarApril: 0.51 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.5 AprMay: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 MayJune: 0.39 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 SepOctober: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.70 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.7❄1 NovDecember: 1.11 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 1.1❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sparks, NV (within 1 mile); precipitation: Sparks, NV (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

894327a
Sparks, NV · <1 mi
894357a
Sparks, NV · <1 mi
895127b
Reno, NV · 3 mi
895027b
Reno, NV · 3 mi
895137b
Reno, NV · 3 mi
895017b
Reno, NV · 3 mi
895047b
Reno, NV · 3 mi
895157b
Reno, NV · 3 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Sparks → · Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89431

What planting zone is ZIP code 89431?

ZIP code 89431 (Sparks, 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 Sparks, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89431 is May 1; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sparks station.

When is the first frost in Sparks, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89431 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89431 get?

About 8.4 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sparks station).

How hot do summers get in Sparks, NV?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Voltaire at the center of ZIP 89431: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sparks, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89431 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sparks, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89431 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.