When to Plant in San Jose, CA

San Jose enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate — warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Most of the city is frost-free or nearly so (Zone 9b/10a), with the occasional light frost in inland neighborhoods in December or January. Rainfall comes almost exclusively from October through April.

The greatest challenge for San Jose gardeners is summer water. Drip irrigation and deep mulching are non-negotiable in the dry season. The reward is a long, productive warm season and a fall/winter season where cool-season crops thrive without the brutal cold of inland climates.

What to plant now in San Jose

Spring: Start warm-season crops — tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn.
Summer: Maintain summer garden. Focus on drought-tolerant varieties and consistent irrigation.
Fall: Plant cool-season crops: lettuce, broccoli, kale, carrots, spinach, and garlic.
Winter: Cool-season crops continue. Start onion seeds and early tomatoes indoors.

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.

Month by month in San Jose

Month	What to do
January	Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Plant cool-season greens outdoors.
February	Direct sow peas, spinach, and lettuce. Start warm-season seedlings.
March	Transplant tomatoes and peppers in warmer microclimates. Direct sow beans.
April	Full spring planting underway. Plant squash, cucumbers, and corn.
May	Set up drip irrigation. Mulch beds as dry season begins.
June	Summer garden in full swing. Deep water tomatoes and peppers.
July	Harvest summer crops. Start seeds for fall planting.
August	Direct sow fall crops: carrots, beets, and turnips.
September	Plant fall transplants: broccoli, kale, cauliflower, lettuce.
October	Plant garlic and cool-season crops. Rains return.
November	Cool-season crops growing well. Harvest root vegetables.
December	Harvest winter greens. Start planning next year's garden.

Frost dates for San Jose ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
95123	February 17	December 2	9b
95127	February 17	December 2	9b

FAQ

When is the last frost date in San Jose, CA?

Most of San Jose is frost-free or nearly so, with an average last frost around February 17 in colder inland areas. Many neighborhoods see no frost at all most years.

What grows best in San Jose?

San Jose's climate is exceptional for tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers in summer. The cool, wet winter supports excellent crops of lettuce, broccoli, kale, carrots, and garlic.

Do I need to water a lot in San Jose?

Yes — summers are completely dry. Drip irrigation and thick mulch (3–4 inches) are essential. Most productive San Jose gardens use drip systems on timers from May through October.

How is gardening in San Jose different from San Francisco?

San Jose is warmer and sunnier — it's more inland and less affected by Bay Area fog. Tomatoes and peppers thrive here in ways they can struggle near the San Francisco coast.

How does Plan My Garden help San Jose gardeners?

Enter your San Jose zip code and we'll look up your exact frost dates, then build a personalized planting schedule tuned to your Bay Area microclimate.