Las Vegas, Nevada: planting zone & frost dates
Las Vegas is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, where the average coldest winter night reaches 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C). The typical last spring frost is around Feb 4 and the first fall frost around Dec 4.
Frost dates
| Probability | Last spring frost (32°F) | First fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Safer (10% risk) | Feb 19 | Nov 24 |
| Typical planning date (30% risk) | Feb 4 | Dec 4 |
| Median (50%) | Jan 24 | Dec 10 |
How to read this: after the spring "10% risk" date, a 32°F frost happens in only about 1 year in 10. In fall, the "10% risk" date is the early end — a frost before it happens about 1 year in 10.
Frost data comes from NOAA station LAS VEGAS AIR TERMINAL, NV (USW00053123), 4.1 mi (6.6 km) from the city center and 148 ft lower than the city center (-45 m). Record used for the 1991–2020 normals: 19 years.
Hardiness zone across Las Vegas
Las Vegas spans more than one half-zone. Share of the city's land area by zone (via its 21 ZIP codes): 9a (48%), 8b (28%), 9b (25%). The headline zone is the one covering the most land. Look up your ZIP for your exact zone.
Vegetable planting calendar for Las Vegas
Dates are counted from the 30%-risk frost dates above (last frost Feb 4, first frost Dec 4). Shift a week later in cold spots or low-lying ground.
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / plant out | Direct sow | Fall crop sow/plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Pepper | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | Jan 7 – Feb 18 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Jan 7 – Jan 14 | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Carrot Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 18 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Onion Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | — |
| Potato Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | — | — |
| Basil | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Spinach Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 21 | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Kale Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Broccoli Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 21 – Feb 11 | — | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Peas Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | — | Dec 24 – Jan 14 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Eggplant | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Cabbage Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | — | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Radish Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | — | Dec 31 – Feb 18 | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 7 – Jan 28 | — | — |
| Beets Mild winters: fall and winter plantings are usually more reliable than spring. | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 25 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
Nearby cities in Nevada
- North Las Vegas — zone 9b, last frost Feb 11, first frost Dec 1
- Henderson — zone 9b, last frost Feb 14, first frost Nov 28
- Sparks — zone 7a, last frost May 8, first frost Oct 5
- Reno — zone 7b, last frost May 6, first frost Oct 21
More: all Nevada cities · other zone 9a cities: San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Tucson, AZ, Baton Rouge, LA, Tallahassee, FL, Mobile, AL