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Frost dates and planting calendar for El Paso, Texas

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8b[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 2[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 20[3]
Growing season, median
261 days[4]

The center of El Paso is in USDA hardiness zone 8b[1]. The median last spring frost at the El Paso airport station is March 2[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Feb 12, half of years Mar 2, 1 in 10 years after Mar 19Last frostmedian Mar 2First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Dec 2, half of years Nov 20, 1 in 10 years before Nov 6First frostmedian Nov 20Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 2 to Feb 16Feb 2 to Feb 16Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Feb 16 to Mar 2Feb 16 to Mar 2TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 2around Mar 2Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Mar 16from Mar 16
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

NOAA frost dates for El Paso come from the El Paso International Airport weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 2, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after March 19[2]. In half of years the first fall frost comes before November 20, and in 1 of 10 years it comes before November 6[3]. These are odds from past records, not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later[5].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after February 12 after March 2 after March 19
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before November 6 before November 20 before December 2
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date February 16, median first fall date December 1[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 237 days in 9 of 10 years, 261 days in half of years and 284 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: El Paso International Airport (USW00023044), 4.1 miles from the city center, 3,918 feet, 28 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension's planting guide was written for Colorado, so these dates are a starting point for El Paso[6]. The GardenFacts calculation uses the March 2 median last frost as the average last frost[6]. Hardy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, peas and spinach can go in as early as 2 to 4 weeks before it, which is February 2 to February 16[6]. Semi-hardy vegetables such as carrots, beets and potatoes can go in as early as 2 weeks before it, from February 16 up to March 2[9]. Tender vegetables such as snap beans and sweet corn can be seeded around March 2[10]. Very tender vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after it, so March 16 is the earliest start[11].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 2) is February 2 to February 16[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 2) is February 16, up to the median date itself[9]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 2[10]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 2), is March 16[11]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Apr 8 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Apr 28 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Mar 24
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Apr 3
Onions (hardy)[12] Feb 2 May 23
Peas (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Apr 8
Radishes (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Mar 4
Spinach (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Mar 14
Turnips (hardy)[12] Feb 2 Mar 24
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 Apr 17
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 Apr 27
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 Apr 27
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 Jun 21
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Feb 16 Apr 17
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 2 May 1
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 2 May 1
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 2 Apr 26
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 2 Apr 21
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Mar 16 Jun 9
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Mar 16 May 15 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Mar 16 May 25 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Mar 16 May 20 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Mar 16 Jun 24
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Mar 16 Jun 9
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

USDA puts the center of El Paso in zone 8b, which means an average coldest night of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is based on the coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[14]. All of the city's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b[15].

Zone 8b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 15°F to 20°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 18.7°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8b 100%[15].

All towns in zone 8b and what zone 8b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
79934[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79911[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79912[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79936[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79925[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79907[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79924[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79938[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79904[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79932[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79915[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79930[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79922[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79905[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79902[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79927[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79935[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79903[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79928[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79901[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79835[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79906[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79920[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79916[15] 8b 15 to 20°F
79908[15] 8b 15 to 20°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is El Paso, Texas?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of El Paso in zone 8b[1]. By land area, 100% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated 8b[15].
When is the last frost in El Paso?
At the airport station, the median last spring frost is March 2, so in half of years the last frost comes after that date[2]. In 1 of 10 years it comes after March 19[2].
When is the first frost in El Paso?
The median first fall frost is November 20, so in half of years the first frost comes before that date[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before November 6[3].
When to plant tomatoes in El Paso?
CSU Extension groups tomatoes as very tender and typically 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[11]. Using the March 2 median, the earliest start is March 16[11].
How long is the growing season in El Paso?
Between the last spring and first fall frost, the season is at least 261 days in half of years[4]. It is at least 237 days in 9 of 10 years[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of El Paso, Texas in zone 8b. Zone 8b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 15°F to 20°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 18.7°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after February 12, in half of years after March 2, and in 1 of 10 years after March 19 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 2. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before November 6, in half of years before November 20, and in 9 of 10 years before December 2 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 20. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 237 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 261 days in half of years, and at least 284 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the El Paso International Airport weather station (USW00023044), 4.1 miles from the center of El Paso at 3,918 feet, using 28 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is February 16 and the median first fall date is December 1. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. El Paso, Texas overlaps 25 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.