Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 95031 — Los Gatos, CA

ZIP code 95031 (Los Gatos, Santa Clara County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 95031 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F
Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C
Last frostFeb 2
First frostDec 6
2012 zone10a

Was 10a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Los Gatos, CA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Los Gatos, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 16
Growing season310 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 1 and returns around December 19.

From the NOAA station Los Gatos, CA — 5 miles away, elevation 364 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 95031

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 22 – Jan 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 8 – Dec 22
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 24 – Dec 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 2) and first fall frost (Dec 6) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 95031 came on Jan 19 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Los Gatos, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95031 is Maymen — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Maymen-Katykat complex, 8 to 30 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 95031; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Los Gatos, CA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,769base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation37.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 56 °F 85°56° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 56 °F 85°56° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 7.54 in precipitation 7.5 JanFebruary: 7.05 in precipitation 7.0 FebMarch: 6.54 in precipitation 6.5 MarApril: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.14 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 6.86 in precipitation 6.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Los Gatos, CA (5 mi away); precipitation: Los Gatos 5.4 Ssw, CA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

950339b
Los Gatos, CA · <1 mi
9502610a
Holy City, CA · 1 mi
9504410a
Redwood Estates, CA · 1 mi
950329b
Los Gatos, CA · 4 mi
950309b
Los Gatos, CA · 5 mi
950669b
Scotts Valley, CA · 7 mi
951209b
San Jose, CA · 7 mi
950189b
Felton, CA · 7 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Los Gatos → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95031

What planting zone is ZIP code 95031?

ZIP code 95031 (Los Gatos, CA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Los Gatos, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95031 is February 2; after March 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Gatos station.

When is the first frost in Los Gatos, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95031 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 310 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95031?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 8 – Dec 22 and set transplants outside around Feb 9 – Feb 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 95031 get?

About 37.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Gatos 5.4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Los Gatos, CA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 95031 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Maymen at the center of ZIP 95031: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Los Gatos, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95031 came on Jan 19 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Los Gatos, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95031 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 95031 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 95031 in zone 10a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.