Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 95046 (San Martin, CA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Gilroy, CA (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)277 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (41 mi).
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Merced 23 WSW (41 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 95046 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: California coastal and valleys. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Apr 11 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 2–23
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 2–23
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 2–30
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 16–30
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 16–Nov 13
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 27: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jan 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 24 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 4 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 18 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 4 | Nov 10 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 24 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 16 | Dec 12 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 95046
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 24) and first fall frost (Nov 27). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 16–30 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 16–30 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Feb 3–24 (transplant) Jan 27–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–23 (transplant) Sep 18–Oct 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 13–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 24 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 16–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 16–30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 2–16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 30–Jan 13 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 13–27 | Feb 10–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 20–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 30–Jan 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 2–16 | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 13–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 18–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 2–16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 13–27 (transplant) | Oct 16–Nov 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Aug 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 4–18 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 27–Feb 3 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 13–27 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) Mar 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 2–16 | Mar 3–10 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 13–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 10–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 16–30 | Feb 10–24 (transplant) Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 27–Feb 10 (transplant) | Sep 18–Oct 16 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gilroy, CA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00043417), elevation 194 ft, 7.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonville Wtr Wks, CA | 15 mi | Jan 28 | Dec 13 |
| Watsonville Muni AP, CA | 15 mi | Jan 31 | Dec 9 |
| Mt Hamilton, CA | 17 mi | May 3 | Nov 18 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 99 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 95046
When is the last frost in 95046?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 95046 is February 24. For a more cautious planting date, use April 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 95046?
The average first fall freeze is November 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 10.
What hardiness zone is 95046?
ZIP 95046 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 95046 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
95037 San Jose 95020 Gilroy 95135 San Jose 95013 San Jose 95139 San Jose 95138 San Jose 95119 San Jose 95076 Interlaken
Other ZIP codes in Santa Clara County
94022 94024 94040 94041 94043 94085 94086 94087 94089 94301 94303 94304 94305 94306 95002 95008 95013 95014 95020 95030 95032 95035 95037 95050 All Santa Clara County frost dates · California frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.