Santa Clara, CA planting zone & frost dates
Santa Clara is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 12 and the first fall frost around December 22, for a growing season of about 347 days.
Planting calendar for Santa Clara
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 12) 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: Nov 17 – Dec 1 Transplant outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 3 – Nov 17 Transplant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Dec 15 – Dec 29 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 1 – Dec 15 Transplant outdoors: Jan 19 – Jan 26 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 27 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 22).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Dec 20 | Jan 12 | Feb 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 20 | Dec 22 | Dec 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after February 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around December 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Santa Clara
- 95050 zone 9b
- 95051 zone 9b
- 95052 zone 9b
- 95053 zone 9b
- 95054 zone 10a
- 95055 zone 9b
- 95056 zone 10a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Santa Clara, CA?
Santa Clara is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 10a.
When is the last frost in Santa Clara?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Santa Clara is January 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until February 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in Santa Clara?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Jan 19 – Jan 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station San Jose, CA (USW00023293), 2.8 km (1.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 16 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.