El Paso, TX Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in El Paso

In October:

• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Mar 2, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 9 (30%), safe = Mar 19 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in El Paso

What to plant in El Paso in January

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 5–19)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 19 – Feb 9)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)

What to plant in El Paso in February

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 21 – Mar 7)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Jan 19 – Feb 9)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Jan 26 – Feb 9)

What to plant in El Paso in March

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–19)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 2 – Mar 5)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 19)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 21 – Mar 7)

What to plant in El Paso in April

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 11)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 2)

What to plant in El Paso in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 25 – Jul 9)

What to plant in El Paso in July

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 15–29)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 25 – Jul 9)

What to plant in El Paso in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 13)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 24)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 28)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 29)

What to plant in El Paso in September

• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Sep 2)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Sep 2)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Sep 3)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 27)

What to plant in El Paso in October

• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 7)

What to plant in El Paso in December

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Dec 22 – Jan 5)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in El Paso

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rules are to set tomatoes out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost and only once nights are above 52°F. In El Paso, the frost rule alone would allow about Mar 16, but the average nightly low at El Paso International Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 11, so the night rule sets the date at every risk level: about Apr 11. Start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 11. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At El Paso International Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 22. Set out on Apr 11, tomato plants would start producing around Jun 15, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 158 days before the typical first frost (Nov 20).

When to plant peppers in El Paso

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 16 using the typical date, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Mar 23. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at El Paso International Airport climbs to 55°F on Apr 22. Set out on Mar 23, pepper plants would start producing around Jun 1, based on CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 172 days before the typical first frost (Nov 20).

When to plant potatoes in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in El Paso using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 2–16 going by the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 2 (Aug 19 to be safe), which is 79 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in El Paso

Hardy crop. Per CSU, lettuce (leaf) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For El Paso, that works out to roughly Feb 2–16 (typical date) or Feb 19 – Mar 5 (safer date). For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 7, or by Aug 24 to be safe.

When to plant carrots in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 28, or by Aug 14 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in El Paso

Tender crop. Sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 2 in El Paso. Waiting until Mar 19 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Aug 24 (Aug 10 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in El Paso

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 2 in El Paso. Waiting until Mar 19 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 3, or by Aug 20 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 2–16 going by the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the safer date. Set out on Feb 9, broccoli plants would start producing around Apr 15, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 219 days before the typical first frost (Nov 20). Fall broccoli: set transplants out by Sep 2. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 20) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 15–29 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cabbage in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in El Paso using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Set out on Feb 9, cabbage plants would start producing around May 5, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 199 days before the typical first frost (Nov 20). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Aug 13 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 20, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 25 – Jul 9, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says cauliflower can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 5–19 going by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in El Paso using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 17 (Sep 3 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 2–16 going by the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 7, or by Aug 24 to be safe.

When to plant radishes in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in El Paso using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, count back 44 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Oct 7, or by Sep 23 to be safe.

When to plant spinach in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 2–16 in El Paso using the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 27, or by Sep 13 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in El Paso

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In El Paso, that's roughly Feb 2–16 going by the typical date, or Feb 19 – Mar 5 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 17, or by Sep 3 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting beets as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the typical date or Mar 5–19 by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 7, or by Aug 24 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting swiss chard as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the typical date or Mar 5–19 by the safer date. For fall, sow by Sep 7 (Aug 24 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in El Paso

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For El Paso, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 by the typical date or Mar 5–19 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in El Paso

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Mar 2 in El Paso. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 19. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in El Paso

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Mar 2 in El Paso. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Mar 19. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 29, or by Aug 15 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in El Paso

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around Mar 16 (typical date), Mar 23 (balanced) or Apr 2 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Jan 19 – Feb 9, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on Mar 23. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on Mar 23 would start producing around May 22. That's 182 days before the typical first frost (Nov 20).

When to plant cantaloupe in El Paso

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant cantaloupe around Mar 16 at the earliest, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in El Paso

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant watermelon 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Mar 16 (typical date), Mar 23 (balanced) or Apr 2 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in El Paso

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 16 using the typical date, Mar 23 as a balanced choice, or Apr 2 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in El Paso?

Tomatoes: Feb 21 – Mar 7. Peppers: Jan 26 – Feb 9. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in El Paso?

About Apr 11 at every risk level, because the night rule decides it. CSU wants nights above 52°F at transplant, and the average nightly low at El Paso International Airport first rises above 52°F on Apr 11. CSU's frost rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost) would allow about Mar 16 here.

What can I plant in El Paso in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 20), the deadlines are: peas by Sep 2; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 7; carrots by Aug 28; beans (snap) by Aug 24; summer squash by Sep 3; broccoli by Sep 2 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 13 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 17; green onions by Sep 7; radishes by Oct 7; spinach by Sep 27; turnips by Sep 17; beets by Sep 7; swiss chard by Sep 7; cucumbers by Aug 29.

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