San Jose, CA Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in San Jose

In October:

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Oct 2)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Oct 3)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Oct 8)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 22)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 22)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Jan 2, 50% risk), balanced = Jan 10 (30%), safe = Jan 23 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Frost odds aren't the only check. CSU recommends measuring soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before you sow. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so we list each crop's minimum soil temperature from CSU instead of a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in San Jose

What to plant in San Jose in January

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Jan 2–23)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 2–23)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Jan 2–23)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Jan 2–23)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)

What to plant in San Jose in February

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Jan 16 – Feb 6)

What to plant in San Jose in March

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 20 – Apr 3)

What to plant in San Jose in April

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 20 – Apr 3)

What to plant in San Jose in May

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 8)

What to plant in San Jose in July

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 30 – Aug 13)

What to plant in San Jose in August

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Aug 19 – Sep 2)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 30 – Aug 13)

What to plant in San Jose in September

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Sep 28)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Aug 19 – Sep 2)

What to plant in San Jose in October

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Oct 2)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Oct 3)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Oct 8)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Oct 12)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Oct 22)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Oct 22)

What to plant in San Jose in November

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Nov 8–22)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Nov 22 – Dec 13)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Nov 29 – Dec 13)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Nov 1)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Nov 11)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Oct 25 – Nov 8)

What to plant in San Jose in December

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 5 – Jan 9)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Dec 19 – Jan 23)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Nov 22 – Dec 13)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Nov 29 – Dec 13)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in San Jose

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put San Jose at about Jan 16, but the average nightly low at San Jose isn't above 52°F until May 8, so the transplant date is about May 8 for the typical, balanced and safer choices alike. Start seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 8. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At San Jose, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 28. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for tomato plants is 65 days. Set out on May 8, they would start producing around Jul 12, 166 days before the typical first frost (Dec 25).

When to plant peppers in San Jose

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Jan 16 (typical date), Jan 24 (balanced) or Feb 6 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Nov 29 – Dec 13, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Jan 24. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At San Jose, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 28. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for pepper plants is 70 days. Set out on Jan 24, they would start producing around Apr 4, 265 days before the typical first frost (Dec 25).

When to plant potatoes in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, potatoes can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 in San Jose (typical date) or Jan 9–23 (safer date). The soil should be at least 45°F.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 5–19 going by the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 5–19 in San Jose using the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 7, or by Sep 16 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in San Jose

Hardy crop. Per CSU, lettuce (leaf) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For San Jose, that works out to roughly Dec 5–19 (typical date) or Dec 26 – Jan 9 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Oct 12, or by Sep 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 going by the typical date, or Jan 9–23 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 2, or by Sep 11 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in San Jose

Tender crop. CSU says to sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, about Jan 2 in San Jose. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Jan 23. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Sep 28 (Sep 7 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in San Jose

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Jan 2 in San Jose. Waiting until Jan 23 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 8, or by Sep 17 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 5–19 going by the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Dec 13, they would start producing around Feb 16, 312 days before the typical first frost (Dec 25). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Oct 7 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Dec 25, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Aug 19 – Sep 2, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 5–19 going by the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for cabbage plants is 85 days. Set out on Dec 13, they would start producing around Mar 8, 292 days before the typical first frost (Dec 25). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Sep 17 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Dec 25, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jul 30 – Aug 13, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For San Jose, that's roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 by the typical date or Jan 9–23 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 5–19 going by the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 22, or by Oct 1 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in San Jose

Hardy crop. Per CSU, green onions can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For San Jose, that works out to roughly Dec 5–19 (typical date) or Dec 26 – Jan 9 (safer date). For fall, sow by Oct 12 (Sep 21 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 5–19 in San Jose using the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Nov 11, or by Oct 21 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Dec 5–19 in San Jose using the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Nov 1, or by Oct 11 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in San Jose

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 5–19 going by the typical date, or Dec 26 – Jan 9 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 22, or by Oct 1 to be safe.

When to plant beets in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says beets can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 going by the typical date, or Jan 9–23 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 12, or by Sep 21 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In San Jose, that's roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 going by the typical date, or Jan 9–23 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Oct 12 (Sep 21 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in San Jose

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For San Jose, that's roughly Dec 19 – Jan 2 by the typical date or Jan 9–23 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in San Jose

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Jan 2 in San Jose. Waiting until Jan 23 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in San Jose

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Jan 2 in San Jose. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Jan 23. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 3, or by Sep 12 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in San Jose

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Jan 16 using the typical date, Jan 24 as a balanced choice, or Feb 6 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Nov 22 – Dec 13, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Jan 24. Set out on Jan 24, eggplant plants would start producing around Mar 25, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 275 days before the typical first frost (Dec 25).

When to plant cantaloupe in San Jose

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Jan 16 (typical date), Jan 24 (balanced) or Feb 6 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in San Jose

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant watermelon around Jan 16 at the earliest, Jan 24 as a balanced choice, or Feb 6 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in San Jose

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant winter squash around Jan 16 at the earliest, Jan 24 as a balanced choice, or Feb 6 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in San Jose?

Sow tomatoes indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3 and peppers Nov 29 – Dec 13. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in San Jose?

About May 8, at every risk level. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Jan 16 here) and nights above 52°F. At San Jose, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on May 8, later than the frost-rule date, so the night rule sets the date.

What can I plant in San Jose in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Dec 25) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Oct 7; lettuce (leaf) by Oct 12; carrots by Oct 2; beans (snap) by Sep 28; summer squash by Oct 8; broccoli by Oct 7 (transplants); cabbage by Sep 17 (transplants); kohlrabi by Oct 22; green onions by Oct 12; radishes by Nov 11; spinach by Nov 1; turnips by Oct 22; beets by Oct 12; swiss chard by Oct 12; cucumbers by Oct 3.

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