Frost dates for 79938El Paso, TX
The average last spring frost in El Paso is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 21 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 204 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 24 · Apr 10 | Oct 23 · Nov 11 · Nov 28 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 4 · Mar 29 | Nov 4 · Nov 25 · Dec 13 | 264 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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 79938 is matched to the NOAA station El Paso 32 Ene, TX, 3.4 km away, at 5,240 ft elevation (119 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso 32 Ene, TX (used) | 5,240 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| El Paso Intl Ap, TX | 3,918 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
| Tornillo 2 Sse, TX | 3,525 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
| Cornudas Svc Stn, TX | 4,480 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near El Paso
- El Paso, TX 79928 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Clint, TX 79836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- San Elizario, TX 79849 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Fabens, TX 79838 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Tornillo, TX 79853 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Fort Bliss, TX 79916 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Chaparral, NM 88081 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Fort Hancock, TX 79839 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?
- For ZIP code 79938, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Paso 32 Ene, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- 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 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 79938?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.