Frost dates for San Jose, California
In a typical year, San Jose’s last spring frost lands around Jan 2 and the first fall frost around Dec 25, a growing season of about 357 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 9b.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Dec 14 | Dec 4 |
| 50 percent | Jan 2 | Dec 25 |
| 90 percent | Jan 23 | Jan 14 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in San Jose is typically around 70°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in San Jose
- Beet (Detroit Dark Red)
- Spinach (Space)
- Onion (Vidalia)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Parsley (Giant of Italy)
- Kale (Lacinato)
- Dill (Bouquet)
- Chives (Common Chives)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against San Jose’s normals for today.
Nearby cities
- Santa Clara, CA (around Jan 12 to Dec 22)
- Sunnyvale, CA (around Jan 6 to Dec 23)
- Fremont, CA (around Jan 7 to Dec 22)
- Hayward, CA (around Jan 2 to Dec 25)
- Oakland, CA (around Jan 3 to Jan 1)
Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.
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