Frost dates for 95021Gilroy, CA
The average last spring frost in Gilroy is February 24 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 277 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 277 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 26 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 4 · Apr 4 · May 1 | Oct 20 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 24 · Apr 4 | Nov 10 · Nov 27 · Dec 18 | 277 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 22 · Jan 16 · Feb 19 | Nov 24 · Dec 12 · Jan 14 | 333 days | 91% |
Planting calendar for Gilroy
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 13 – Jan 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Apr 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95021 is matched to the NOAA station Gilroy, CA, 1.1 km away, at 194 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilroy, CA (used) | 194 ft | Feb 24 | Nov 27 |
| Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA | 95 ft | Jan 28 | Dec 13 |
| Watsonville Muni Ap, CA | 160 ft | Jan 31 | Dec 9 |
| Hollister 2, CA | 275 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Gilroy
- Gilroy, CA 95020 · last Feb 24, first Nov 27
- San Martin, CA 95046 · last Feb 24, first Nov 27
- Morgan Hill, CA 95037 · last Feb 24, first Nov 27
- Aromas, CA 95004 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Watsonville, CA 95077 · last Jan 28, first Dec 13
- Freedom, CA 95019 · last Jan 28, first Dec 13
- Hollister, CA 95024 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gilroy, CA?
- For ZIP code 95021, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gilroy, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Gilroy, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95021?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 277 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.