Frost dates for 79908El Paso, TX
The average last spring frost in El Paso is March 2 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 261 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 261 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 23 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 2 · Mar 19 | Nov 6 · Nov 20 · Dec 2 | 261 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 16 · Mar 7 | Nov 15 · Dec 1 · Dec 17 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for El Paso
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Apr 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – May 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79908 is matched to the NOAA station El Paso Intl Ap, TX, 2 km away, at 3,918 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso Intl Ap, TX (used) | 3,918 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
| La Tuna 1 S, TX | 3,870 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
| Santa Teresa Ap, NM | 4,109 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| El Paso 32 Ene, TX | 5,240 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near El Paso
- Fort Bliss, TX 79916 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- El Paso, TX 79906 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Sunland Park, NM 88063 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Canutillo, TX 79835 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Anthony, TX 79821 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Santa Teresa, NM 88008 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- San Elizario, TX 79849 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Clint, TX 79836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?
- For ZIP code 79908, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Paso Intl Ap, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- When is the first frost in El Paso, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79908?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 261 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.