Frost dates for 95021 — Gilroy, CA
Last spring frostFeb 24median date
First fall frostNov 27median date
Growing season276 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Gilroy compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gilroy falls between January 23 and April 4, a 71-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 18.
- The median last frost is 35 days earlier than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 276-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 16 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Watsonville, CA, 20 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 23 |
| 50% (median) | February 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | November 27 |
| 90% (late) | December 18 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Gilroy, CA
Frost dates for 95021 — Gilroy, CA — last frost Feb 24, first frost Nov 27, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gilroy, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Jan 27 – Mar 3 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Okra | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Basil | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 3 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 13 – Feb 3 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 20 – Mar 3 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 27 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 3 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 3 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 13 – Dec 18 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Gilroy, CA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 194 ft (59 m)).
ZIP codes in Gilroy: 95020 95021
Frost dates near Gilroy
- San Martin Feb 24 · Nov 27
- Aromas Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Morgan Hill Feb 24 · Nov 27
- San Juan Bautista Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Watsonville Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Freedom Jan 28 · Dec 13
- Hollister Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Coyote May 3 · Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gilroy, CA?
The median last spring frost in Gilroy, CA is February 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gilroy, CA?
The median first fall frost is November 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Gilroy, CA?
About 276 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gilroy, CA?
Gilroy, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.