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

Planting zone for 95153 — San Jose, CA

ZIP code 95153 (San Jose, 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 95153 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 zone9b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 — 6 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 95153

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 95153 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

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 San Jose, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 95153 is Hangerone — clay, poorly drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.3alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urbanland-Hangerone complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, drained.

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 95153; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in San Jose, 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 44 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
Precipitation22 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″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 FebMarch: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.19 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.01 in precipitation 0.0 JulAugust: 0.04 in precipitation 0.0 AugSeptember: 0.08 in precipitation 0.1 SepOctober: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 NovDecember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Los Gatos, CA (6 mi away); precipitation: Cambrian Park 2.2 Se, CA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

951239b
San Jose, CA · <1 mi
951939b
San Jose, CA · 1 mi
951369b
San Jose, CA · 2 mi
951589b
San Jose, CA · 2 mi
951609b
San Jose, CA · 2 mi
951189b
San Jose, CA · 3 mi
951119b
San Jose, CA · 3 mi
951199b
San Jose, CA · 3 mi

All 55 ZIP codes in San Jose → · California planting zones →

Questions about 95153

What planting zone is ZIP code 95153?

ZIP code 95153 (San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 95153 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 San Jose, CA?

The median first fall frost near 95153 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 310 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 95153?

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 95153 get?

About 22 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cambrian Park 2.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in San Jose, 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 95153 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hangerone at the center of ZIP 95153: clay, poorly drained, pH about 8.3 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in San Jose, CA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 95153 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in San Jose, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 95153 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.