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

Planting zone for 89440 — Virginia City, NV

ZIP code 89440 (Virginia City, Storey County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 89440 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 12
First frostOct 17
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Virginia City, 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 Virginia City, 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 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Virginia City, NV — within 1 mile, elevation 6,339 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 89440

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 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 89440 came on Mar 15 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 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 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 Virginia City, NV.

Soil in Virginia City, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89440 is Reywat — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Reywat-Ister-Rock outcrop 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 89440; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Virginia City, NV

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, December
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,606base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall46 inper year; 46 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 27 °F 41°27° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 29 °F 43°29° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 33 °F 49°33° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 43 °F 61°43° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 33 °F 49°33° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 26 °F 40°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 1.82 in precipitation, 13 in snowfall 1.8❄13 JanFebruary: 2.06 in precipitation, 8.7 in snowfall 2.1❄9 FebMarch: 1.60 in precipitation, 9.3 in snowfall 1.6❄9 MarApril: 0.54 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.5❄2 AprMay: 0.74 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.7❄1 MayJune: 0.55 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.6 JunJuly: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 AugSeptember: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 SepOctober: 0.65 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.7 OctNovember: 1.07 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 1.1❄2 NovDecember: 1.95 in precipitation, 9.5 in snowfall 1.9❄10 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Virginia City, NV (within 1 mile); precipitation: Virginia City, NV (within 1 mile). 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.

894287b
Silver City, NV · 3 mi
895217a
Reno, NV · 5 mi
897067b
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897047a
Washoe Valley, NV · 7 mi
897117a
Carson City, NV · 11 mi
897127a
Carson City, NV · 11 mi
897137a
Carson City, NV · 11 mi
897147a
Carson City, NV · 11 mi

Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89440

What planting zone is ZIP code 89440?

ZIP code 89440 (Virginia City, 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 Virginia City, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89440 is May 12; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Virginia City station.

When is the first frost in Virginia City, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89440 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89440?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89440 get?

About 11.7 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Virginia City station).

How hot do summers get in Virginia City, NV?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89440 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Reywat at the center of ZIP 89440: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Virginia City, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89440 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Virginia City, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89440 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 89440 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 89440 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.