When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in El Paso is around March 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the El Paso Intl Ap, TX station (7.1 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in El Paso?

The average first fall frost in El Paso, TX is around November 20, giving roughly a 261-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is El Paso, TX?

El Paso is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in El Paso?

In El Paso, TX the warmest month is June (avg high 97.1°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 34.4°F). It averages about 8.8″ of precipitation a year and 2.8″ of snow.

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El Paso, TX Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 79901 · elevation 1194′ · NOAA & USDA data

El Paso is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 261 days between the average last spring frost (March 2) and first fall frost (November 20). The warmest month is June (avg high 97.1°F); the coldest is December (avg low 34.4°F). It averages 8.8″ of precipitation a year and 2.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

261 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

June

avg high 97.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in El Paso

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at El Paso Intl Ap, TX (7.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	58.6	34.5	46.5	0.4	0.8
February	64.1	38.9	51.5	0.4	0.2
March	71.9	45.5	58.7	0.2	0
April	80	53.3	66.6	0.2	0
May	88.7	62.1	75.4	0.4	0
June	97.1	70.6	83.9	0.7	0
July	95.8	73	84.4	1.6	0
August	94	71.8	82.9	1.7	0
September	88.3	65.4	76.9	1.5	0
October	79.4	54	66.7	0.6	0
November	67	42	54.5	0.4	0.5
December	57.8	34.4	46.1	0.6	1.3

What to plant when in El Paso

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 19 · Transplant out: March 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 5 · Transplant out: March 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 26 · Sow (fall): September 25
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 19 · Sow (fall): September 25
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 2 · Sow (fall): September 25
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 9 · Sow (fall): September 11
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 16
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 9 · Sow (fall): September 11
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 2
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 16
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 2 · Sow (fall): October 9

Dates are computed from El Paso's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Texas

Odessa, TX Midland, TX Lubbock, TX San Angelo, TX Amarillo, TX Abilene, TX Wichita Falls, TX San Antonio, TX

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — El Paso Intl Ap, TX, 7.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: El Paso Intl Ap, TX, 7.1 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.