When to Plant Onions in Nevada
The backbone of the kitchen garden. Choose short-day, intermediate, or long-day varieties based on your latitude.
The Short Answer
Nevada Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Nevada you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Nevada (Reno) | 6b, 7a | May 1 - May 20 | Sep 25 - Oct 15 |
| Las Vegas | 8b, 9a, 9b | Feb 10 - Mar 5 | Nov 10 - Dec 1 |
| Mountain Nevada | 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b | May 25 - Jun 15 | Aug 25 - Sep 15 |
Onions Planting Schedule for Nevada
Northern Nevada (Reno) (Zones 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 15
Las Vegas (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)
Average last frost: Feb 10 - Mar 5 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1
Mountain Nevada (Zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b)
Average last frost: May 25 - Jun 15 · Average first frost: Aug 25 - Sep 15
Growing Onions in Nevada
Onions in Nevada's Climate
Short-day onions only. Plant transplants from October through December for spring harvest. Short-day varieties like Granex (Vidalia type) and Texas 1015 bulb when days reach just 10-12 hours — perfectly timed for your spring. Do not plant long-day or intermediate varieties — they will never bulb in your day-length pattern.
Soil Considerations for Nevada
Desert soils — alkaline, low organic matter. Extremely dry. Heavy amendment essential. Irrigation required. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for onions since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.
Nevada Climate & Growing Season
Arid climate. Extreme heat in summer (Las Vegas). Short season at altitude. Very low humidity. Water conservation critical. Onions can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Nevada's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.
Growing season length varies across Nevada: Northern Nevada (Reno) (6b, 7a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 20, while Mountain Nevada (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) sees frost end around May 25 - Jun 15. This difference matters for onions — but onions handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.
Growing Tips
Day length triggers bulbing. Northern gardeners need long-day varieties. Southern gardeners need short-day varieties.
Companion Planting
Plant onions alongside these companions for better growth:
Keep onions away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026