Gilroy, CA planting zone & frost dates
Gilroy is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 24 and the first fall frost around November 27, for a growing season of about 277 days.
Planting calendar for Gilroy
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 30 – Jan 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 16 – Dec 30 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 16 – Dec 30 Transplant outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 16 – Dec 30 Transplant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 16 – Dec 30 Transplant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13 – Jan 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 27).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 23 | Feb 24 | Apr 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 18 | Nov 27 | Nov 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Gilroy
- 95020 zone 9b
- 95021 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Morgan Hill zone 9b, last frost Feb 24
- Watsonville zone 9b, last frost Jan 28
- Hollister zone 9b, last frost Feb 19
- Prunedale zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Salinas zone 9b, last frost Feb 4
- Capitola zone 9b, last frost Jan 29
- Marina zone 10a
- Live Oak zone 10a, last frost Jan 29
Questions
What growing zone is Gilroy, CA?
Gilroy is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Gilroy?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Gilroy is February 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Gilroy?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 3 – Mar 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Gilroy, CA (USC00043417), 0.7 km (0.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 59 m, based on 21 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.