Frost Dates for San Jose, CA 95127
Last spring frost February 17 · First fall frost December 2 · 288 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 95127 has about 58,800 people, one of 28 ZIP codes in San Jose.
Very long season: 288 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 13–March 24 (70 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 12 (37 days).
Frost probability for 95127
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 24 | February 17 | January 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | December 2 | December 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOS GATOS (22.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 288-day season in San Jose
In San Jose (288 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 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 3. | Aug 2 |
| Pepper | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 3. | Aug 7 |
| Lettuce | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Jan 27 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 330 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 330 available after Jan 27. | Sep 30 |
| Cucumber | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Peas | — | Dec 23–Mar 3 | 351 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 351 available after Dec 23. | Sep 21 |
| Zucchini | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Onion | Nov 25 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 323 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 23–Feb 10 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Kale | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 323 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 323 available after Jan 20. | Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 20. | Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 309 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 2 | 393 | overwinter: Plant Dec 2 to Dec 23; harvest the following summer. | Dec 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 13–Mar 10 | 344 | 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 | 260 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 24. | Aug 14 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 3 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 3. | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 302 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 10. | Sep 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 23 | Feb 3–Feb 3 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 365 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 337 available after Jan 20. | Aug 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 3. | Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 246 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 3. | Aug 12 |
| Okra | Jan 20 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Basil | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 20–Feb 10 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Parsley | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 288 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 24. | Sep 16 |
| Celery | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 288 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 24. | Jul 28 |
| Scallions | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 6–Jan 20 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 6 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 20 | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Collards | Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 | 337 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 246 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 3. | Jul 28 |
| Chives | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 302 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 23–Mar 17 | 351 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 23 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Oregano | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 302 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 25 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 288 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Sage | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 302 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 302 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 302 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 6 | Feb 3–Feb 17 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Cosmos | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Lavender | Nov 25 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 309 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 6 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Melons | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 246 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 3. | Jul 28 |
| Mint | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 309 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 309 available after Feb 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 267 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 24. | Aug 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 3. | Jul 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 17. | Aug 26 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 23 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 253 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 24. | Aug 7 |
| Watermelon | Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 24. | Aug 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Zinnias | Jan 20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
Month by month in San Jose
| 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 20), Pumpkin (Jul 20), Cantaloupe (Jul 28), Celery (Jul 28), Melons (Jul 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 30). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 2), Watermelon (Aug 2), Pepper (Aug 7), Tomatillos (Aug 7), Eggplant (Aug 12), Corn (Aug 14), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 5), Cosmos (Sep 5), Cucumber (Sep 5), Zinnias (Sep 5), Broccoli (Sep 6), Nasturtiums (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Beets (Oct 1), Dill (Oct 1), Swiss Chard (Oct 1), Calendula (Oct 6), Cilantro (Oct 6), Collards (Oct 10), +9 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 25), Lavender (Nov 25), Onion (Nov 25), Rosemary (Nov 25). |
| 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: Garlic (Dec 2), Arugula (Dec 23), Beets (Dec 23), Dill (Dec 23), Peas (Dec 23), Radish (Dec 23), +1 more. First frost around December 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 23). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for San Jose, CA (ZIP 95127)?
The median last spring frost date for San Jose, CA (ZIP code 95127) 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 January 13; one in ten it runs past March 24.
What is the first fall frost date in San Jose, CA?
The median first fall frost date for San Jose, CA is around December 2. 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 November 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in San Jose, CA?
The frost-free growing season in San Jose is about 288 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 San Jose (288 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 San Jose, CA?
San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 13 and plant out Mar 3 in San Jose. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in San Jose?
Two: plant Jan 20 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9.
When do I plant garlic in San Jose?
Dec 2 to Dec 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in San Jose?
Yes: plant out Mar 3 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 2 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Los Gatos (ZIP 95032) has 313 frost-free days, 25 more than San Jose (ZIP 95127). See Los Gatos ZIP 95032 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Milpitas, CA 95035 (6.8 mi)
- Frost dates for San Jose, CA 95123 (9.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Santa Clara, CA 95051 (11 mi)
- Frost dates for Campbell, CA 95008 (11.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Los Gatos, CA 95032 (13.7 mi)
- When to plant in San Jose, CA: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Cucumbers in CA
- When to plant Zucchini in CA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in CA
- When to plant Basil in CA
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- Look up another ZIP