Henderson, NV Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Henderson, Nevada.
Gardening in Henderson
Las Vegas' neighbor shares the Mojave conditions — and the determination to grow food in the desert. Henderson's newer suburban developments often include garden-ready landscapes.
Zone 9a with 278 frost-free days. Same desert conditions as Vegas — the real growing season is October through May. Summer heat demands retreat. Water conservation is essential.
Henderson's growing community garden programs serve a population that's increasingly interested in desert food production.
What This Means for Henderson Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Henderson is around February 20, and the average first fall frost arrives around November 25. That gives you approximately 278 frost-free days to work with.
278 days is a long, productive season that supports two full rounds of warm-season crops plus continuous cool-season production through your mild winter. Most frost-sensitive crops can be transplanted by February 20, giving them months to produce before fall. Your winter garden is the real advantage — growing fresh vegetables in December and January while northern gardeners browse seed catalogs.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Henderson area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Henderson
Henderson's 278-day growing season is generous — long enough for two full growing windows (spring and fall) with warm-season crops between them. You can grow the full range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers with proper timing. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties for midsummer and cool-season crops for extended fall harvests. Recommended starting points: tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, squash, garlic, kale, and sunflowers.
See the full Nevada planting guide for all 40 plants: Nevada Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Henderson.
More About Zone 9A
Henderson is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9A, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 20°F to 25°F. View the full Zone 9A planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Nevada: Nevada Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Nevada
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Henderson area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Henderson (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Cool-season crops go in 3-4 weeks before your last frost (February 20). Warm-season crops wait until 2 weeks after. You have time for a fall round too — plant cool-season crops again in late summer for harvest into autumn. Enter your zip code for exact dates.