Last frost date in Gilroy, CA

Average last frost
February 24

The average last frost in Gilroy is February 24. By April 4 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 27, which leaves 277 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 4
Average first frost
Nov 27
Frost-free season
277 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 16
Next 6 nights in Gilroy

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2450°
  4. SunOct 2551°
  5. MonOct 2650°
  6. TueOct 2750°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 24First frost Nov 27277 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND277 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Gilroy, 1.4 miles from Gilroy.

Planting calendar for Gilroy

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across California.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 3–Mar 17
PumpkinsMar 10–Mar 24
SunflowersFeb 24–Mar 17
CucumbersMar 10–Mar 17
CornMar 3–Mar 17
Sweet potatoesMar 17–Mar 31
WatermelonMar 10–Mar 24
Green beansMar 3–Mar 24
ZucchiniMar 3–Mar 17
OkraMar 17–Mar 31
PeppersMar 10–Mar 24
BasilMar 3–Mar 17
Butternut squashMar 3–Mar 17
CantaloupeMar 10–Mar 24
EggplantMar 10–Mar 24
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 27–Feb 10
OnionsJan 13–Feb 3
CarrotsFeb 3–Mar 10
LettuceFeb 10–Mar 3
BroccoliJan 27–Feb 10
BeetsJan 27–Mar 10
PeasJan 13–Jan 27
CabbageJan 27–Feb 10
RadishesJan 20–Mar 3
Brussels sproutsFeb 10–Feb 24
SpinachJan 13–Feb 3
CilantroFeb 10–Mar 3
KaleJan 27–Feb 10
Collard greensJan 27–Feb 10
TurnipsJan 27–Feb 10
DillFeb 24–Mar 10
CeleryMar 3–Mar 10
CauliflowerFeb 10–Feb 24
LeeksFeb 10–Feb 24
Swiss chardFeb 10–Mar 10
ParsleyFeb 10–Mar 3
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 13–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 27–Feb 10
AsparagusJan 27–Feb 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 23Feb 24Apr 4Nov 10Nov 27Dec 18
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 22Jan 16Feb 19Nov 24Dec 12Jan 14

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Gilroy (USC00043417) sits 1.4 miles from the center of Gilroy at 194 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Gilroy, CA?

The average last frost date in Gilroy is February 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 4.

When is the first frost in Gilroy?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 27. One year in ten it arrives before November 10.

How long is the growing season in Gilroy?

About 277 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Gilroy?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 3 to March 17. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

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