USDA Nevada Hardiness Zones: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Nevada, a diverse state with a fast-growing population, is known to be home to the two largest deserts in the United States.
Some parts of the state are also mountainous. Although the state is arid, there are many agricultural opportunities when irrigation is possible. According to Nevada’s Department of Agriculture, many farmers and agricultural producers opt to grow alfalfa and wheat.
Nevada’s climate is arid and semi-arid. Generally, Nevada’s summers are extremely hot, and the winters are very cold.
Because there is a large range of temperatures across the state, Nevada is classified into thirteen different plant hardiness zones. The plant hardiness zones of Nevada are 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a.
Nevada Planting Zone – A Quick Overview
- If you live in Ely, you live in the 5a plant hardiness zone. This zone is a relatively small portion of the state. A small portion of Elko County is classified as 5a, too.
- If you live in Mountain City, your plant hardiness zone is 5b.
- Parts of Elko County, White Pine County, Eureka County, and Lander County is classified as 5b planting zones.
- Carlin and Midas reside in the 5b and 6b plant hardiness zones respectively.
- If you live in the area around Manhattan, your area is likely classified as the 6b planting zone.
- You’ll find the 7a planting zones in Empire and the surrounding areas.
- Most of the 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, and 10a planting zones are found in the southern corner of the state.
- Las Vegas, a dry, desert area, is classified as the 9a planting zone.
Using the Nevada Growing Zones Map
Don’t be fooled. It is possible to grow a thriving garden in the state of Nevada. Although the state is dry, several plants thrive in this type of climate. Before choosing which plants and vegetables to grow in your garden space, you need to determine your growing zone. Plants that thrive in the 4a growing zone may not grow as well in the 10a growing zone.
Determining your growing zone is simple. In 2012, the USDA designed the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This map, designed to label each planting zone in the United States, helps growers and gardeners understand their planting zones and the relative temperatures of their area.
Understanding relative temperatures and the local climate allows growers to choose plants well suited to the specific location.
To determine your planting zone (also called gardening zones, growing zones, and plant hardiness zones), enter your address and zip code into the search bar at the top of the map and hit the enter button. This will give you specific information regarding the plant hardiness zone of your space.
Or you can click on the state of Nevada and zoom in to your general area. This will also give you a general idea of the planting zone of your space.
Because the climate of Nevada varies depending on geography, the state is classified into thirteen separate planting zones. Each planting zone has different minimum temperatures, meaning some plants will grow better than others.
Explore Our Complete US Hardiness Zone Map
Before picking which plants to grow in your garden, you also need to consider the micro-climate of your area. Nevada is a very diverse state, geographically speaking. Wind, humidity, the presence of streams, evaporation rates, and soil types can change the micro-climate of your garden. Consider these elements, too, before choosing your plants.
Nevada: A Desert State with Thirteen Planting Zones
Compared to other states, Nevada is host to a wide range of planting zones. Growing seasons are determined by the date of the year’s last frost in the spring and the date of the first frost in the fall. For the most accurate information regarding the first and last frost in your area, tune into Nevada’s local weather.
Alfalfa is not the only plant you can grow in your garden. If you’re looking to grow vegetables instead of hay, consider planting lettuce, tomatoes, or onions. Native flowers thrive in Nevada, such as Virginia Creeper, White Spruce, and Desert Marigold.
Think about planting those flowers to brighten up your space. According to Moon Valley Nurseries in Las Vegas, Nevada, you can also plant citrus trees in your garden. Orange trees, lemon trees, and limes trees will give any Nevada garden space a tropical feel!
