Frost Dates for Gilroy, CA 95020
Last spring frost February 17 · First fall frost November 28 · 284 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95020 has about 67,200 people.
Very long season: 284 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–April 9 (6 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 12 (42 days).
Frost probability for 95020
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 3 | February 17 | April 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 28 | December 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GILROY (1.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 284-day season in Gilroy
In Gilroy (284 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 13 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Jul 29 |
| Pepper | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Aug 3 |
| Lettuce | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 326 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 326 available after Jan 27. | Sep 26 |
| Cucumber | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 21. | Sep 8 |
| Peas | — | Dec 23–Mar 3 | 347 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 347 available after Dec 23. | Sep 17 |
| Zucchini | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Onion | Nov 25 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 319 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 23–Feb 10 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Kale | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Broccoli | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 319 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 20. | Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 20. | Sep 26 |
| Radish | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 27 |
| Beets | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 305 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 28 | 389 | overwinter: Plant Nov 28 to Dec 19; harvest the following summer. | Dec 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 13–Mar 10 | 340 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 256 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 24. | Aug 10 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 298 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 10. | Sep 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 3 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 361 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 20. | Aug 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Aug 8 |
| Okra | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Basil | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 20–Feb 10 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Parsley | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 284 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 24. | Sep 12 |
| Celery | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 284 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 24. | Jul 24 |
| Scallions | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 11 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 7 |
| Collards | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 19. | Oct 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Jul 24 |
| Chives | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Dec 5. | Sep 27 |
| Oregano | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 298 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 284 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Sage | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 298 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 298 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 5. | Oct 2 |
| Cosmos | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
| Lavender | Nov 25 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 305 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Melons | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 242 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 3. | Jul 24 |
| Mint | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 305 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 263 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 24. | Aug 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 249 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 3. | Jul 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 17. | Aug 22 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Aug 3 |
| Watermelon | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 249 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 24. | Jul 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Zinnias | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 1 |
Month by month in Gilroy
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 6), Cauliflower (Jan 6), Marigolds (Jan 6), Pepper (Jan 6), Basil (Jan 13), Tomato (Jan 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 6), Cilantro (Jan 20), Turnip (Jan 20), Carrots (Jan 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 20), Cabbage (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), Kale (Jan 20), Lettuce (Jan 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 13). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 3), Cantaloupe (Feb 3), Melons (Feb 3), Pumpkin (Feb 3), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 3), Watermelon (Feb 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 3), Sunflowers (Feb 17), Beans (Feb 24), Pole Beans (Feb 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), Bok Choy (Feb 10), Cauliflower (Feb 10), Cosmos (Feb 17), Lavender (Feb 17), +15 more. Last frost around February 17. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 3), Cantaloupe (Mar 3), Cucumber (Mar 3), Eggplant (Mar 3), Melons (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), +6 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 16), Pumpkin (Jul 16), Cantaloupe (Jul 24), Celery (Jul 24), Melons (Jul 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 26), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 3), Tomatillos (Aug 3), Eggplant (Aug 8), Corn (Aug 10), Sunflowers (Aug 22), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 27), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 1), Cosmos (Sep 1), Cucumber (Sep 1), Zinnias (Sep 1), Broccoli (Sep 2), Nasturtiums (Sep 6), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 2), Cilantro (Oct 2), Collards (Oct 6), Scallions (Oct 6), Bok Choy (Oct 7), Lettuce (Oct 7), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 25), Lavender (Nov 25), Onion (Nov 25), Rosemary (Nov 25). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 28). First frost around November 28. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 9), Collards (Dec 9), Kale (Dec 9), Oregano (Dec 9), Parsley (Dec 9), Scallions (Dec 9), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 23), Beets (Dec 23), Dill (Dec 23), Peas (Dec 23), Radish (Dec 23), Spinach (Dec 23). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 19). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gilroy, CA (ZIP 95020)?
The median last spring frost date for Gilroy, CA (ZIP code 95020) is around February 17. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 3; one in ten it runs past April 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Gilroy, CA?
The median first fall frost date for Gilroy, CA is around November 28. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gilroy, CA?
The frost-free growing season in Gilroy is about 284 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Gilroy (284 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Gilroy, CA?
Gilroy, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Gilroy, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 13 and plant out Mar 3 in Gilroy. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gilroy?
Two: plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 5.
When do I plant garlic in Gilroy?
Nov 28 to Dec 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gilroy?
Yes: plant out Mar 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 29 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Watsonville (ZIP 95076) has 302 frost-free days, 18 more than Gilroy (ZIP 95020). See Watsonville ZIP 95076 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (10.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Watsonville, CA 95076 (11.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Hollister, CA 95023 (12.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Aptos, CA 95003 (17.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Castroville, CA 95012 (18.9 mi)
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