Last frost date in El Paso, TX

Average last frost
March 2

Expect the last frost in El Paso around March 2. Frost after March 19 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 20, which leaves 261 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 6 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 19
Average first frost
Nov 20
Frost-free season
261 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 16
Next 7 nights in El Paso

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2263°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2457°
  4. SunOct 2557°
  5. MonOct 2654°
  6. TueOct 2754°
  7. WedOct 2855°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 2First frost Nov 20261 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND261 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at El Paso International Airport, 4.1 miles from El Paso.

Planting calendar for El Paso

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Texas.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 9–Mar 23
PumpkinsMar 16–Mar 30
SunflowersMar 2–Mar 23
CucumbersMar 16–Mar 23
CornMar 9–Mar 23
Sweet potatoesMar 23–Apr 6
WatermelonMar 16–Mar 30
Green beansMar 9–Mar 30
ZucchiniMar 9–Mar 23
OkraMar 23–Apr 6
PeppersMar 16–Mar 30
BasilMar 9–Mar 23
Butternut squashMar 9–Mar 23
CantaloupeMar 16–Mar 30
EggplantMar 16–Mar 30
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 2–Feb 16
OnionsJan 19–Feb 9
CarrotsFeb 9–Mar 16
LettuceFeb 16–Mar 9
BroccoliFeb 2–Feb 16
BeetsFeb 2–Mar 16
PeasJan 19–Feb 2
CabbageFeb 2–Feb 16
RadishesJan 26–Mar 9
Brussels sproutsFeb 16–Mar 2
SpinachJan 19–Feb 9
CilantroFeb 16–Mar 9
KaleFeb 2–Feb 16
Collard greensFeb 2–Feb 16
TurnipsFeb 2–Feb 16
DillMar 2–Mar 16
CeleryMar 9–Mar 16
CauliflowerFeb 16–Mar 2
LeeksFeb 16–Mar 2
Swiss chardFeb 16–Mar 16
ParsleyFeb 16–Mar 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 6–Dec 11
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 2–Feb 16
AsparagusFeb 2–Feb 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 12Mar 2Mar 19Nov 6Nov 20Dec 2
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 25Feb 16Mar 7Nov 15Dec 1Dec 17

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station El Paso International Airport (USW00023044) sits 4.1 miles from the center of El Paso at 3,918 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in El Paso, TX?

The average last frost date in El Paso is March 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 19.

When is the first frost in El Paso?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 20. One year in ten it arrives before November 6.

How long is the growing season in El Paso?

About 261 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in El Paso?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 9 to March 23. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Texas

All 171 cities in Texas