Frost dates for 79912El Paso, TX
The average last spring frost in El Paso is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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) | Mar 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 9 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 23 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 5 · Mar 25 | Nov 4 · Nov 19 · Dec 4 | 256 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 | Feb 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79912 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Teresa Ap, NM, 15.7 km away, at 4,109 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Teresa Ap, NM (used) | 4,109 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| El Paso Intl Ap, TX | 3,918 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
| La Tuna 1 S, TX | 3,870 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
| State Univ, NM | 3,886 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near El Paso
- El Paso, TX 79922 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Sunland Park, NM 88063 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Canutillo, TX 79835 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Fort Bliss, TX 79916 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Santa Teresa, NM 88008 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- Anthony, TX 79821 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Chamberino, NM 88027 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Berino, NM 88024 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?
- For ZIP code 79912, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Teresa Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in El Paso, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79912?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.