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

Planting zone for 89511 — Reno, NV

ZIP code 89511 (Reno, Washoe County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 89511 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 20
First frostOct 23
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — a full zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Reno, 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 Reno, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Reno Tahoe Intl Airport, NV — 7 miles away, elevation 4,410 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 89511

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 89511 came on Mar 17 — 36 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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.

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 97

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 246

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 129

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 Reno, NV.

Soil in Reno, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89511 is Fraval — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fraval-Booford-Jumbo 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 89511; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Reno, NV

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,420base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation32.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 39 °F 65°39° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 60 °F 94°60° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 58 °F 92°58° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 50 °F 84°50° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JanFebruary: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 FebMarch: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 JunJuly: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 AugSeptember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 OctNovember: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 5.47 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Reno Tahoe Intl Airport, NV (7 mi away); precipitation: Big Meadow, NV (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

895197b
Reno, NV · 4 mi
895097b
Reno, NV · 6 mi
895057b
Reno, NV · 7 mi
895237a
Reno, NV · 7 mi
895557b
Reno, NV · 8 mi
895017b
Reno, NV · 8 mi
961116b
Floriston, CA · 8 mi
895047b
Reno, NV · 8 mi

All 24 ZIP codes in Reno → · Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89511

What planting zone is ZIP code 89511?

ZIP code 89511 (Reno, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Reno, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89511 is April 20; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reno Tahoe Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Reno, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89511 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89511?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89511 get?

About 32.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Meadow station).

How hot do summers get in Reno, NV?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89511 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fraval at the center of ZIP 89511: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Reno, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89511 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 36 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Reno, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89511 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 89511 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 89511 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.