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

Planting zone for 89703 — Carson City, NV

ZIP code 89703 (Carson City, Carson City (city)) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 89703 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 6
2012 zone6b

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

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carson 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 Carson City, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Carson City, NV — 6 miles away, elevation 4,761 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 89703

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 89703 came on Mar 20 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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 7b in Nevada

521 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 7b. 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 133

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 Carson City, NV.

Soil in Carson City, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89703 is Cagwin — gravelly sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cagwin-Toem complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes.

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 89703; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carson City, NV

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights146nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,618base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation33.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 49 °F 81°49° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 55 °F 90°55° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 53 °F 88°53° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 46 °F 81°46° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 36 °F 68°36° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 28 °F 55°28° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.88 in precipitation 5.9 JanFebruary: 5.26 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 MayJune: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 JulAugust: 0.28 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 5.78 in precipitation 5.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carson City, NV (6 mi away); precipitation: Marlette Lake, NV (2 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.

897057b
Carson City, NV · 4 mi
894137a
Glenbrook, NV · 5 mi
897117a
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897127a
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897137a
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897147a
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897217a
Carson City, NV · 5 mi
897027a
Carson City, NV · 6 mi

All 10 ZIP codes in Carson City → · Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89703

What planting zone is ZIP code 89703?

ZIP code 89703 (Carson City, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Carson City, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89703 is May 4; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carson City station.

When is the first frost in Carson City, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89703 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89703?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 89703 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marlette Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Carson City, NV?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89703 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cagwin at the center of ZIP 89703: gravelly sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 89703 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carson City, NV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 89703 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 89703 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 89703 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.