Local planting guide · Mountain West
zip 89504
Reno is in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with average winter lows of 5°F to 10°F. The local growing season runs roughly 04/20 through 10/23 (~184 days). This zip falls within the Mountain West growing region.
- USDA zone
- 7b 5°F to 10°F
- Last spring frost
- 04/20
- First fall frost
- 10/23
- Growing season
- 184 days
- Compatible crops
- 83
- Growing region
- Mountain West
Right now in Reno
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Reno
Reno sits in the high desert of zone 7b, where the dominant constraint is the combination of a late spring frost (April 20) and early fall frost (October 23), compressing the warm-season window to about six months. The zone's minimum temperatures (5 to 10°F) are moderate for stone fruits and apples, but the real challenge is the desert climate itself: low humidity, intense solar radiation, and limited water availability. The frost dates, grounded in NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, mean that tender annuals and warm-season crops need to be planted after mid-April, and cold-sensitive perennials should be selected for hardiness.
The good news is that cold-hardy stone fruits (peaches, plums, cherries, pears, apples) are exceptionally well-suited to Reno's climate. The low humidity and cold winters actually reduce disease pressure compared to more humid zones, making these crops more reliably productive. High-chill varieties thrive here because Reno winters consistently deliver the dormancy requirements that many quality apple and pear cultivars demand. The challenge with heat-demanding crops like figs is fitting them into the window between the April 20 spring frost and the October 23 fall frost, though early cultivars can work with strategic site selection and microclimate management.
Regional context · Mountain West
What the Mountain West brings to Reno
High elevation, dry air, intense sun, big diurnal swings. Short cool growing season at altitude; longer hot one in valleys. Strong fruit production in irrigated river corridors.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 7b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Cedar-apple rust pressure heavy in piedmont
- ▸ Japanese beetles
- ▸ Brown marmorated stink bug
- ▸ Late summer disease pressure
What defeats new gardeners in Reno
Spring frost damage to early-blooming stone fruits is the most frequent loss. Peaches and sweet cherries bloom early in April, and late freezes after bloom will eliminate the entire year's crop. The April 20 frost date means planning for frost events after bud break is critical. Second, water availability in Reno's semi-arid climate demands careful irrigation: many home gardeners underestimate how much water established fruit trees need during the hot, low-humidity summers. Supplemental watering from June through August is not optional; trees stressed by drought are more susceptible to sunscald, borers, and reduced fruit quality. Third, late-summer temperature swings and early frosts can stress ripening fruit and reduce sugar content in crops like peaches and grapes.
Crops that grow in Reno
83 crops from our catalog match zone 7b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
15 crops
zone 7b Apple
Malus domestica
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Pear
Pyrus communis
zones 4a–8b
zone 7b Peach
Prunus persica
zones 5a–9a
zone 7b European Plum
Prunus domestica
zones 4a–8a
zone 7b Japanese Plum
Prunus salicina
zones 5b–9a
zone 7b Sweet Cherry
Prunus avium
zones 5a–8a
zone 7b Sour Cherry
Prunus cerasus
zones 4a–7b
zone 7b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
Berries
12 crops
zone 7b Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
zones 4a–7b
zone 7b Rabbiteye Blueberry
Vaccinium virgatum
zones 7a–9a
zone 7b Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
zones 3b–8a
zone 7b Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
zones 4a–8a
zone 7b Yellow Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
zones 3b–8a
zone 7b Blackberry
Rubus subgenus Rubus
zones 5a–9a
zone 7b June-Bearing Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
zones 3a–8b
zone 7b Everbearing Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
zones 3b–9a
Nuts
6 crops
Vegetables
40 crops
zone 7b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 7b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 7b Potato
Solanum tuberosum
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 7b Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
zones 3a–9a
zone 7b Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
zones 3b–9a
Herbs
10 crops
zone 7b Basil
Ocimum basilicum
zones 4a–10b
zone 7b Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
zones 3b–9b
zone 7b Cilantro / Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
zones 3b–9b
zone 7b Dill
Anethum graveolens
zones 3b–9a
zone 7b Oregano
Origanum vulgare
zones 4a–9b
zone 7b Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
zones 4a–9a
zone 7b Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
zones 7a–10b
zone 7b Sage
Salvia officinalis
zones 4a–9a
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Reno
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Reno's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Reno, NV (zone 7b)
Quiet week in Reno, NV (zone 7b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
418 bars · 83 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 7b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Sylvilagus and Lepus species
Cottontails and jackrabbits strip bark from young fruit trees in winter and graze tender garden vegetables year-round, especially seedlings.
Popillia japonica
Defoliating beetle introduced to North America in 1916. Skeletonizes leaves of many fruit trees, berry canes, and pecan.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Microtus species
Field voles and meadow voles girdle young fruit-tree trunks under snow cover during winter and chew root crops. The leading cause of mysterious orchard losses.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Top diseases for zone 7b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Botrytis cinerea
Ubiquitous fungal disease that causes fruit rot during cool wet weather, often the dominant berry disease in humid regions.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Soil-borne bacterium that enters plants through wounds and induces tumor-like galls on roots, crown, and lower stems. Galls reduce vigor and shorten plant lifespan; on Rubus the disease is often fatal.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Plasmodiophora brassicae
Soil-borne disease causing characteristic distorted club-shaped roots on brassicas. Persists in soil for 10-20 years; the dominant brassica pathogen in acidic poorly-drained soils.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 7b.
- Peach + Garlic
Garlic planted around peach trees suppresses peach borer and provides general fungal-pressure reduction.
- European Plum + Garlic
Garlic discourages plum curculio and provides general antifungal benefit beneath stone fruit.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- American Persimmon + Pawpaw
Both natives thrive in similar soils and contribute to a polyculture that supports native pollinators and fauna.
- Jujube + Thyme
Thyme groundcover suits jujube's low-water profile and deters cabbage moth and aphid populations.
- Apricot + Basil
Basil's volatile oils discourage stone-fruit pests and support pollinator visits.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Reno
First, prioritize late-blooming stone fruit varieties and apple cultivars that bloom after April 20 to reduce frost damage risk. 'Reliance' peach and 'Contender' peach are second-break bloomers widely available. Second, install drip irrigation or soaker hoses and plan for consistent summer watering. Reno's low humidity and intense sun mean superficial watering encourages weak root systems; deep, infrequent watering builds resilience. Third, use the 184-day growing season strategically: plant warm-season annuals (tomatoes, peppers) immediately after the April 20 date, but choose determinate varieties that mature before October 23 to avoid crop loss to early fall frosts.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops for Reno's climate?
Stone fruits, pears, and apples are the natural choices. Peaches, plums, cherries, and pears are reliable and productive in zone 7b with low disease pressure. High-chill apples like 'Granny Smith' and 'Pink Lady' thrive. Figs can work with careful variety selection, particularly early ripening types like 'Chicago Hardy'.
- When should I plant tomatoes and warm-season crops?
Wait until after April 20, the last spring frost date. Tomatoes planted too early will be killed by frost; plants set out in early May have time to mature before October 23. Choose determinate (bush) varieties to ensure harvest before the first fall frost.
- What's the single biggest weather threat in Reno?
Late spring frosts after bud break on stone fruits. If a freeze occurs after trees have bloomed in April, that year's fruit crop is lost. Select late-blooming varieties and consider frost cloth or microjets on high-value trees during late April.
- How much water do fruit trees need in Reno?
Reno's low humidity and intense sun mean trees need deep, consistent irrigation May through September. Young trees need 1 to 2 inches per week via drip irrigation; established trees need 2 to 3 inches per week when not receiving rain.
- Can I grow figs in Reno?
Yes, but only with early-ripening varieties like 'Chicago Hardy' or 'Celeste'. The short season ending October 23 means late-ripening figs won't mature. Plant in a sheltered, south-facing location and protect from fall frosts with burlap if needed.
- What pests and diseases should I watch for?
Reno's low humidity and dry climate reduce many fungal diseases compared to humid zones. However, spider mites thrive in hot, dry conditions, especially on insufficiently watered trees. Japanese beetles and grasshoppers can be locally heavy. Codling moth is the primary pest on apples and pears; manage with pheromone traps and timely sprays.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00023185. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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