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

Planting zone for 89803 — Elko, NV

ZIP code 89803 (Elko, Elko County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 89803 is

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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 29
First frostSep 18
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Elko, 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 Elko, NV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 3
Growing season111 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 11 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Elko Regional Airport, NV — within 1 mile, elevation 5,030 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 89803

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
LettuceSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 89803 came on Mar 16 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 5b in Nevada

475 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nevada, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

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 83

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 232

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 126

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 Elko, NV.

Soil in Elko, NV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 89803 is Moranch — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH9.4alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Moranch-Ocala-Orovada 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 89803; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elko, NV

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, December
Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights195nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,290base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation10 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall41 inper year; 49 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 32 °F 60°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 39 °F 70°39° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 45 °F 82°45° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 52 °F 92°52° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 49 °F 90°49° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 41 °F 80°41° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 29 °F 66°29° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 22 °F 50°22° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 15 °F 38°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.19 in precipitation, 10.4 in snowfall 1.2❄10 JanFebruary: 0.89 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 0.9❄7 FebMarch: 0.97 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 1.0❄6 MarApril: 1.05 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 1.1❄3 AprMay: 1.22 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.2 MayJune: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 JulAugust: 0.33 in precipitation 0.3 AugSeptember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 SepOctober: 0.74 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.7❄1 OctNovember: 0.88 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 0.9❄4 NovDecember: 1.20 in precipitation, 10.2 in snowfall 1.2❄10 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

898025b
Elko, NV · <1 mi
898155b
Spring Creek, NV · 20 mi
898286a
Lamoille, NV · 23 mi
898015a
Elko, NV · 23 mi
898225b
Carlin, NV · 32 mi
898235a
Deeth, NV · 33 mi
898335b
Ruby Valley, NV · 33 mi
898216a
Crescent Valley, NV · 39 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Elko → · Nevada planting zones →

Questions about 89803

What planting zone is ZIP code 89803?

ZIP code 89803 (Elko, NV) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Elko, NV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 89803 is May 29; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elko Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Elko, NV?

The median first fall frost near 89803 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 111 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 89803?

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

How much rain and snow does 89803 get?

About 10 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elko Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Elko, NV?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 89803 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Moranch at the center of ZIP 89803: silt loam, well drained, pH about 9.4 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Elko, NV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 89803 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elko, NV?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 89803 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).