Frost dates for Santa Clara, California
In a typical year, Santa Clara’s last spring frost lands around Jan 12 and the first fall frost around Dec 22, a growing season of about 344 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 58 days until the typical first fall frost.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Dec 20 | Dec 1 |
| 50 percent | Jan 12 | Dec 22 |
| 90 percent | Feb 14 | Jan 20 |
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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Spinach (Space)
- Swiss chard (Bright Lights)
- Bok choy (Joi Choi)
- Pea (Sugar Ann)
- Dill (Bouquet)
- Beet (Chioggia)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against Santa Clara’s normals for today.
Common questions
When is the last frost in Santa Clara, California?
Santa Clara’s last spring frost falls around January 12 in a typical year. One year in ten it is done by December 20, and one year in ten frost holds on until February 14. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the late side of that band.
When is the first fall frost in Santa Clara?
The first fall frost arrives around December 22 in a typical year, as early as December 1 in an early year and as late as January 20 in a late one.
How long is the growing season in Santa Clara?
About 344 days, counted between the typical last spring frost and the typical first fall frost.
What USDA zone is Santa Clara in?
Santa Clara 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
- Sunnyvale, CA (around Jan 6 to Dec 23)
- San Jose, CA (around Jan 2 to Dec 25)
- 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.
Set up your garden