Gilroy, CA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Gilroy garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 24
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
276 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 23 Feb 24 Apr 4
First fall frost Dec 18 Nov 27 Nov 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 16 · first Dec 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the GILROY station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Gilroy

Computed from Gilroy's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 30 – Jan 13 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🫑 Peppers Dec 16 – Dec 30 Mar 10 – Mar 17
🥬 Lettuce Jan 13 – Jan 27 Jan 27 – Feb 10 Jan 27 – Feb 24
🫛 Peas Jan 13 – Jan 27
🥕 Carrots Feb 3 – Feb 24
🥦 Broccoli Jan 6 – Jan 20 Feb 3 – Feb 17
🥬 Kale Jan 13 – Jan 27 Jan 27 – Feb 10 Jan 27 – Feb 10
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 27 – Feb 3 Mar 3 – Mar 10 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🥒 Zucchini Jan 27 – Feb 3 Mar 3 – Mar 10 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 3 – Mar 10
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 3 – Mar 10
🌿 Basil Jan 13 – Jan 27 Mar 3 – Mar 10 Mar 10 – Mar 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 16 – Nov 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Gilroy's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Gilroy

With roughly 276 frost-free days, Gilroy gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Gilroy, CA?

The average last spring frost in Gilroy is around Feb 24, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Gilroy, CA?

The average first fall frost in Gilroy arrives around Nov 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Gilroy?

About 276 frost-free days on average, from Feb 24 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Gilroy in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.