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.
Right now the growing season is open, with about 61 days until the typical first fall frost.
| 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 63°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in San Jose
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Beet (Detroit Dark Red)
- Spinach (Space)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Kale (Lacinato)
- Bok choy (Joi Choi)
- Pea (Sugar Ann)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against San Jose’s normals for today.
Common questions
When is the last frost in San Jose, California?
San Jose’s last spring frost falls around January 2 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by December 14, and one year in ten frost holds on until January 23. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in San Jose?
The first fall frost arrives around December 25 in a typical year, as early as December 4 in an early year and as late as January 14 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in San Jose?
About 357 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is San Jose in?
San Jose is in USDA hardiness zone 9b under the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Dates come from 30-year NOAA climate normals for the nearest reporting station. They describe odds, not a forecast.
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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