Nevada planting calendar

When to plant onions in Nevada — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Nevada is mostly USDA zone 7a (range 4b-10a). Dates below are derived from onions's frost tolerance and Nevada's frost window — not generic national averages.

Onions planting timetable for Nevada

Stage	When in Nevada	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	early February (February 4)	10 weeks before the last frost (mid-April)
Transplant outside	mid-March (March 18)	28 days before the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	early July (July 6)	~110 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Nevada's climate shifts the onions dates

Nevada's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. Nevada is a high-desert state with dramatic elevation swings. The southern Mojave is nearly frost-free; the northern basin is cold and short-season. Sow early — onions bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Onions are day-length sensitive: long-day varieties (zones 1–6) begin bulbing when days exceed 14 hours, short-day types (zones 7–10) bulb at 10–12 hours, and intermediate-day varieties span zones 5–6. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last spring frost and transplant out 4–6 weeks before it — young onion seedlings tolerate frost down to about -6 °C once hardened off. In zones 8–10 a second planting from sets in autumn is common, overwintering for an early-summer harvest.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before mid-April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the high northern Great Basin near Elko (zone 4b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Nevada

the high northern Great Basin near Elko (zone 4b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Mojave around Las Vegas (zone 10a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Las Vegas — USDA zone 9a
Reno — USDA zone 7a
Henderson — USDA zone 9a
Carson City — USDA zone 7a
Elko — USDA zone 6a

What else to plant in Nevada around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 10-35 °C (50-95 °F).
Spacing: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~110 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant onions in Nevada?

In Nevada (mostly USDA zone 7a), sow onions indoors around early February, transplant outdoors mid-March (before the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from early July. Onions are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Nevada?

Most of Nevada sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a, with the state spanning roughly 4b-10a from the high northern Great Basin near Elko (zone 4b) to the Mojave around Las Vegas (zone 10a). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow onions in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada's dominant zone 7a supports onions — the key is timing. Onions are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Nevada?

the high northern Great Basin near Elko (zone 4b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Mojave around Las Vegas (zone 10a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Nevada around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.