Frost dates for 88523El 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 88523 is matched to the NOAA station El Paso Intl Ap, TX, 14.8 km away, at 3,918 ft elevation (253 ft higher 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 |
| El Paso 32 Ene, TX | 5,240 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Tornillo 2 Sse, TX | 3,525 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 6 |
| La Tuna 1 S, TX | 3,870 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near El Paso
- El Paso, TX 79910 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- San Elizario, TX 79849 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Fort Bliss, TX 79916 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Clint, TX 79836 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Fabens, TX 79838 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Sunland Park, NM 88063 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Tornillo, TX 79853 · last Mar 21, first Nov 6
- Canutillo, TX 79835 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?
- For ZIP code 88523, 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 88523?
- 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.