Last frost date in Santa Clara, California

January 12

Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by December 20; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after February 14.

December 22

Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by December 1.

A 32°F night happens here about 8 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station San Jose (USW00023293), 2.4 miles from Santa Clara, elevation 51 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.

What to plant now

Frost dates for Santa Clara, California
Early yearAverageLate year
Last frost in springDec 20Jan 12Feb 14
First frost in fallDec 1Dec 22Jan 20

An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.

Frost-free days in an average year: 347

Planting calendar for Santa Clara

Fall planting

USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about December 20 (Santa Clara: December 22).

USDA lists horseradish as generally spring-planted here.

Spring planting

Santa Clara's average last frost falls outside the dates USDA's planting table covers, so we don't give spring planting dates here.

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.

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