El Paso, TX planting zone & frost dates
El Paso is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 2 and the first fall frost around November 20, for a growing season of about 261 days.
Planting calendar for El Paso
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 2) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 Transplant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 22 – Jan 5 Transplant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 16 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 20).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 12 | Mar 2 | Mar 19 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 2 | Nov 20 | Nov 6 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 19, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 6. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in El Paso
- 79901 zone 8b
- 79902 zone 8b
- 79903 zone 8b
- 79904 zone 8b
- 79905 zone 8b
- 79906 zone 8b
- 79907 zone 8b
- 79908 zone 8b
- 79910 zone 8b
- 79911 zone 8b
- 79912 zone 8b
- 79913 zone 8b
- 79914 zone 8b
- 79915 zone 8b
- 79917 zone 8b
- 79920 zone 8b
- 79922 zone 8b
- 79923 zone 8b
- 79924 zone 8b
- 79925 zone 8b
- 79926 zone 8b
- 79927 zone 8b
- 79928 zone 8b
- 79929 zone 8b
- 79930 zone 8b
- 79931 zone 8b
- 79932 zone 8b
- 79934 zone 8b
- 79935 zone 8b
- 79936 zone 8b
- 79937 zone 8b
- 79938 zone 8b
- 79940 zone 8b
- 79941 zone 8b
- 79942 zone 8b
- 79943 zone 8b
- 79944 zone 8b
- 79945 zone 8b
- 79946 zone 8b
- 79947 zone 8b
- 79948 zone 8b
- 79949 zone 8b
- 79950 zone 8b
- 79951 zone 8b
- 79952 zone 8b
- 79953 zone 8b
- 79954 zone 8b
- 79955 zone 8b
- 79958 zone 8b
- 79960 zone 8b
- 79961 zone 8b
- 79976 zone 8b
- 79978 zone 8b
- 79980 zone 8b
- 79995 zone 9a
- 79996 zone 8b
- 79997 zone 8b
- 79998 zone 9a
- 79999 zone 9a
- 88510 zone 8b
- 88511 zone 8b
- 88512 zone 8b
- 88513 zone 8b
- 88514 zone 8b
- 88515 zone 8b
- 88517 zone 8b
- 88518 zone 8b
- 88519 zone 8b
- 88520 zone 8b
- 88521 zone 8b
- 88523 zone 8b
- 88524 zone 8b
- 88525 zone 8b
- 88526 zone 8b
- 88527 zone 8b
- 88528 zone 8b
- 88529 zone 8b
- 88530 zone 8b
- 88531 zone 8b
- 88532 zone 8b
- 88533 zone 8b
- 88534 zone 8b
- 88535 zone 8b
- 88536 zone 8b
- 88538 zone 8b
- 88539 zone 8b
- 88540 zone 8b
- 88541 zone 8b
- 88542 zone 8b
- 88543 zone 8b
- 88544 zone 8b
- 88545 zone 8b
- 88546 zone 8b
- 88547 zone 8b
- 88548 zone 8b
- 88549 zone 8b
- 88550 zone 8b
- 88553 zone 8b
- 88554 zone 8b
- 88555 zone 8b
- 88556 zone 8b
- 88557 zone 8b
- 88558 zone 8b
- 88559 zone 8b
- 88560 zone 8b
- 88561 zone 8b
- 88562 zone 8b
- 88563 zone 8b
- 88565 zone 8b
- 88566 zone 8b
- 88567 zone 8b
- 88568 zone 8b
- 88569 zone 8b
- 88570 zone 8b
- 88571 zone 8b
- 88572 zone 8b
- 88573 zone 8b
- 88574 zone 8b
- 88575 zone 8b
- 88576 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Socorro zone 8b, last frost Mar 2
- Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia zone 8b, last frost Mar 2
- Horizon City zone 8b, last frost Mar 2
- Andrews zone 8a, last frost Mar 18
- West Odessa zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Odessa zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- Midland zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- Levelland zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
Questions
What growing zone is El Paso, TX?
El Paso is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 9a.
When is the last frost in El Paso?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in El Paso is March 2. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 19.
When can I plant tomatoes in El Paso?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 9 – Mar 16. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station El Paso Intl Ap, TX (USW00023044), 12.0 km (7.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 1194 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.