In El Paso, TX, the average last spring frost is Mar 2 and the average first fall frost is Nov 20, which leaves about 261 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the El Paso International Airport, TX weather station, at 3,918 feet above sea level.
A very long season allows two full rounds of vegetables. Plant cool-season crops early and again in fall, and plan warm-season crops so they finish before the hottest part of summer. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Mar 19, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Nov 6.
Frost dates for El Paso, TX
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Feb 12 | Dec 2 | 293 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 2 | Nov 20 | 261 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Mar 19 | Nov 6 | 232 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in El Paso, TX
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Jan 5 to Jan 19 | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | – |
| Peppers | Dec 22 to Jan 5 | Mar 16 to Mar 23 | – |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 to Jan 5 | Mar 16 to Mar 23 | – |
| Onions | Dec 22 to Jan 5 | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | – |
| Parsley | Dec 22 to Jan 5 | Mar 2 to Mar 9 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Jan 5 to Jan 19 | Feb 16 to Feb 23 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Basil | Jan 19 to Jan 19 | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Sep 25 to Oct 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Sep 25 to Oct 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Sep 25 to Oct 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Aug 28 to Sep 25 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Sep 25 to Oct 23 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 9 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 to Mar 16 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
No frost is forecast in the next week, according to the National Weather Service.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 44°F | No frost expected |
| Mon 16 night | 46°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 49°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 49°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 52°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 49°F | No frost expected |
| Sat 21 night | 46°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for El Paso, TX
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?
The average last spring frost is Mar 2. A late frost as far out as Mar 19 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in El Paso, TX?
The average first fall frost is Nov 20. It can arrive as early as Nov 6 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in El Paso, TX?
The average freeze-free season is about 261 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the El Paso International Airport, TX station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.