Planting calendar for El Paso, Texas

Dates from 30 years of records at the El Paso Intl Airport weather station, 7.5 miles from El Paso, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

El Paso at a glance

Weather station: El Paso Intl Airport · 7.5 mi
USDA zone: 8b
Last spring frost: typically Mar 2; 1 year in 10 after Mar 19
First fall frost: typically Nov 20; 1 year in 10 before Nov 6
Frost-free season: about 263 days
Hottest month: June: highs 97°F, nights 71°F
Coldest month: December: highs 58°F, nights 34°F
Rain: 9 in. a year, most in July, August and September

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in El Paso typically comes around Mar 2, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Mar 19. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 20. That leaves about 263 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summer highs average 97°F in June. Lettuce, spinach and cilantro bolt in heat like this, so they're best planted Feb 2–Mar 6, Sep 20–Oct 3.

El Paso gets about 9 inches of rain a year, most of it in July, August and September. Plan on regular watering: most months get less than 1 inch.

157 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 17 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in El Paso, month by month

January12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

February54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

March53

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Strawberry, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Malabar spinach, Roselle, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Celosia

April25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Can also plant

Garden cress, Popcorn, Radish, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Bay laurel, Cuban oregano, Garlic chives, Oregano, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Fig, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Ginger, Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May17

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Eggplant, Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Popcorn, Purslane, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd, Basil, Epazote, Lemongrass, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June20

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Edamame, Ginger, Pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Celosia, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

July26

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Luffa gourd, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Popcorn, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Winged bean, Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon

Start seeds indoors

Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August36

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Carrot, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Caraway, Epazote, Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Shallot, Swiss chard, Borage, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Globe amaranth (gomphrena)

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

September25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Beet, Broccoli, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Chervil, Cilantro, Annual salvia, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

October15

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Can also plant

Mustard greens

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

November12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

December10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Stock

Every crop that grows in El Paso

157 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 12–26, Sep 2–19	Apr 27–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 1–21	Apr 8–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Feb 16–24	—	Dec 15–23	Set out plants
Arugula	Jan 21–Mar 6, Sep 27–Oct 13	Jan 19–20, Mar 7–Apr 5, Aug 28–Sep 26	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Feb 2–23	Feb 24–Mar 16	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 15–Sep 5	Apr 8–15, Jul 18–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Jun 22–Jul 6, Jul 11–Aug 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Jun 16–30, Jul 17–Aug 6	Jul 1–16	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Mar 24–Apr 3, Aug 5–26	Jul 4–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Feb 2–23, Aug 31–Sep 21	Feb 24–Mar 22, Aug 23–30	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 3–24	Apr 8–16, Jun 24–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Feb 16–Mar 12	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Feb 2–16, Sep 6–13	Feb 17–Mar 7	Jul 26–Aug 2, Dec 22–Jan 5	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Feb 2–Mar 1	Mar 2–21, Sep 6–Oct 1	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Oct 5–Dec 13	Sep 6–Oct 4, Dec 14–Feb 5	Aug 24–Nov 1	Set out plants
Cabbage	Jan 26–Feb 9	Feb 10–Mar 7	Dec 15–29	Set out plants
Carrot	Feb 9–Mar 2, Aug 23–Sep 11	Mar 3–14	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Feb 9–23	Feb 24–Mar 12	Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Feb 10–22	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Feb 9–Mar 2, Aug 29–Sep 18	Mar 3–20, Aug 17–28	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Oct 2–Dec 15, Dec 19–Jan 28	Jan 29–Mar 22, Aug 4–Oct 1, Dec 16–18	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 8–29	Apr 8–13, Jul 16–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 6–26	Apr 8–9, Jul 10–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Feb 9–23, Sep 13–21	Feb 24–Mar 6	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Jun 15–29, Jul 19–Aug 8	Jun 30–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 12–26, Jul 22–Aug 11	Apr 27–Jul 21	Feb 8–22, May 20–Jun 9	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 30–Dec 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Feb 16–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Feb 16–Mar 23, Oct 2–17	Mar 24–Apr 20, Sep 8–Oct 1	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	May 27–Jun 24	Apr 29–May 26	Apr 8–May 6	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Feb 2–16	Feb 17–Mar 30	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Oct 11–Dec 15, Dec 19–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 21, Aug 23–Oct 10, Dec 16–18	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Feb 2–16, Sep 8–28	Feb 17–Mar 28, Aug 28–Sep 7	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Mar 2–16, Sep 10–Oct 6	Mar 17–Apr 3, Aug 17–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Sep 27–Dec 13	Aug 23–Sep 26, Dec 14–Feb 9	Jul 26–Oct 11	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Feb 2–Mar 6, Sep 20–Oct 3	Mar 7–29, Aug 28–Sep 19	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Feb 9–Mar 1	Mar 2–12, Sep 6–16	Jan 5–25	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Oct 21–Dec 13, Dec 28–Jan 19	Jan 20–Feb 25, Sep 25–Oct 20, Dec 14–27	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	Mar 11–25	Set out plants
Moringa	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Jan 19–Feb 27	Feb 28–Mar 26, Sep 6–Oct 11	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Feb 16–Mar 4	Mar 5–14, Aug 28–Sep 11	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 8–28	Apr 8–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Set out plants
Okra	Apr 29–May 13, Aug 6–22	May 14–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Jan 19–Mar 3	Mar 4–12, Jun 10–Aug 7	Nov 3–Dec 16	Set out plants
Parsnip	Sep 27–Dec 13	Aug 23–Sep 26, Dec 14–Feb 6	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Jan 19–Feb 2, Sep 6–18	Feb 3–Mar 12	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Jan 19–Feb 2, Sep 6–18	Feb 3–Mar 10	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 1–15, Jul 14–Aug 4	Apr 16–Jul 13	Jan 28–Feb 11, May 12–Jun 2	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 24–Aug 14	Apr 8–10, Jun 16–Jul 23	Jan 20–Feb 3, May 22–Jun 12	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 13–30	Apr 29–May 12, May 31–Jun 2	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Mar 24–31	Apr 1–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Feb 5–22	Feb 2–4, Feb 23–Mar 9	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Jun 10–Jul 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 12–26, Aug 14–Sep 4	Apr 27–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Feb 2–9	Feb 10–18	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Jan 29–Mar 14, Oct 4–25	Jan 26–28, Mar 15–Apr 18, Sep 6–Oct 3	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Feb 2–24	—	—	Set out plants
Roselle	Apr 29–May 11	—	Mar 25–Apr 6	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 16–Dec 14	Sep 19–Oct 15, Dec 15–Jan 30	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Apr 29–May 13, Jun 17–Jul 7	May 14–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 5–27, Sep 18–Dec 9	Jan 28–Mar 3, Aug 4–Sep 17, Dec 10–Jan 4	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Apr 29–May 13, Jul 19–Aug 9	May 14–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Oct 22–Jan 22	Jan 23–Mar 16, Sep 13–Oct 21	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 11–31	Apr 8–12, Jul 14–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Feb 17–Mar 10	Feb 9–16, Mar 11–23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Mar 24–31, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 1–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 27–Jul 2	Apr 29–May 26, Jul 3–10	Apr 8–May 14	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Feb 9–Mar 2, Sep 5–26	Mar 3–Apr 10, Jul 12–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Mar 24–Apr 3	—	Feb 10–20	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 8–28	Apr 8–15, Jun 23–Aug 7	Feb 3–17, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 9–16, Aug 13–Sep 2	Mar 17–Apr 19, Jun 27–Aug 12	Jan 19–26, Jun 25–Jul 15	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 12–25, Jul 26–Aug 16	May 20–Jul 25	Feb 22–Mar 7, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Mar 24–30, Jul 26–Aug 16	Jun 30–Jul 25	Feb 3–9, Jun 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Jun 24–Jul 8, Jul 24–Aug 13	Jul 9–23	May 6–20, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Turnip	Feb 2–16, Sep 10–Oct 1	Feb 17–Mar 28, Aug 28–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Feb 9–23	Feb 24–Apr 2	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 12–26, Jun 19–Jul 10	Apr 27–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Jun 18–Jul 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Apr 29–May 13, Jul 24–Aug 11	May 14–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 2–18	Mar 19–Apr 3	Jan 16–Feb 1	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 12–19, Aug 6–26	Apr 20–Aug 5	Mar 8–15, Jul 2–22	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Mar 9–Apr 2	Apr 3–27	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 2–23	—	Jan 12–Feb 2	Set out plants
Borage	Feb 23–Mar 19, Aug 29–Sep 12	Mar 20–Apr 2, Aug 4–28	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Feb 9–23, Aug 23–Sep 1	Feb 24–Mar 3	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–30	Dec 29–Jan 19	Set out plants
Chamomile	Feb 2–16, Aug 26–Sep 16	Feb 17–Mar 15, Aug 23–25	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Feb 9–26	Feb 27–Mar 12, Sep 13–Oct 1	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 2–22	—	Jan 12–Feb 1	Set out plants
Cilantro	Feb 16–Mar 3	Mar 4–14, Sep 6–23	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 1–15, May 25–Jun 7	Apr 12–30, May 16–24	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Feb 16–23, Aug 27–Sep 17	Feb 24–Mar 29, Aug 23–26	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 20–Sep 10	Apr 8–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 2–22, Sep 12–29	Mar 23–Apr 9, Aug 23–Sep 11	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Feb 23–Mar 14	—	Jan 5–24	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	Jan 12–Feb 9	Set out plants
Lavender	Mar 9–28	—	Dec 22–Jan 10	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–30	Jan 12–Feb 2	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Mar 23–Apr 16	Mar 9–22, Apr 17–27	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	May 27–Jun 24	Apr 29–May 26	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Feb 16–27	—	Dec 29–Jan 9	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 9–Apr 3	—	Jan 19–Feb 13	Set out plants
Mint	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–30	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	Jan 12–Feb 9	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 12–26	Apr 27–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Feb 9–23, Aug 11–Sep 1	Feb 24–Mar 14, Aug 4–10	Jun 9–30, Dec 8–22	Set out plants
Rosemary	Mar 9–Apr 2	Apr 3–27	Dec 22–Jan 15	Set out plants
Sage	Feb 23–Mar 8	Mar 9–22	Jan 5–18	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Mar 24–31	Apr 1–Aug 23	Feb 17–24	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Feb 9–Mar 3	Mar 4–26	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Apr 12–May 31	—	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 4–18	Mar 19–Apr 3	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 2–19	—	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 2–15	Mar 16–28	Jan 5–18	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Apr 14–May 11	Mar 24–Apr 13, May 12–19	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 2–20	Mar 21–Apr 7	Jan 12–30	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Jan 26–Feb 16	Feb 17–Mar 30	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 12–26, Jul 12–Aug 1	Apr 27–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Mar 24–Apr 7	Apr 8–Aug 16	Feb 17–Mar 3	Set out plants
Fig	Feb 9–Mar 9	Mar 10–Apr 20	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Feb 2–Mar 2	Mar 3–16	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Mar 24–Apr 7	—	Feb 3–17	Set out plants
Raspberry	Feb 2–27	—	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Feb 2–24	Feb 25–Mar 19	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 12–26, Jul 9–30	Apr 27–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 22–Sep 3	Mar 24–Jun 21, Sep 4–10	Apr 13–Jun 25	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Feb 2–20	Feb 21–Mar 3, Sep 6–13	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Mar 11–28, Jun 10–Aug 13	Mar 2–10, Mar 29–Jun 9	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Feb 16–Mar 7, Sep 12–28	Mar 8–24, Aug 23–Sep 11	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Feb 2–20	Feb 21–Mar 3, Sep 6–13	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Apr 29–May 6, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 7–Jul 13	Mar 11–18, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 29–Aug 7	Mar 24–May 28, Aug 8–11	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Feb 2–27	—	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 7–Aug 11	Apr 12–Jun 6, Aug 12–21	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 29–Aug 2	Apr 12–May 28, Aug 3–21	Apr 10–Jun 14	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 11–Dec 14	Sep 13–Oct 10, Dec 15–Feb 6	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 25–Sep 4	Mar 24–Jun 24, Sep 5	May 7–Jul 17	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 4–26, Aug 23–Sep 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Jan 19–Feb 9, Sep 23–Oct 13	Feb 10–Mar 11, Sep 19–22	Jul 8–28, Nov 3–24	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 12–Aug 16	Apr 29–Jun 11, Aug 17–Sep 6	Apr 10–Jun 14	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	Dec 15–Jan 12	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 2–16, Aug 12–Sep 2	Mar 17–26, Aug 4–11	Jun 10–Jul 1, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Stock	Feb 16–Mar 2, Sep 13–Oct 1	Mar 3–12	Jul 12–30, Dec 15–29	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 4–18, Aug 20–Sep 9	Mar 19–Apr 1, Aug 4–19	Jan 14–28, Jul 2–22	Set out plants
Sunflower	May 31–Aug 6	Mar 24–May 30	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Feb 9–Mar 6, Sep 14–30	Mar 7–26, Aug 23–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Jan 19–Feb 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 5–Aug 10	Apr 12–Jun 4, Aug 11–23	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in El Paso

These need a climate El Paso doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Blueberry: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Cardoon: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 135 days it needs.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Celeriac (celery root): The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 115 days it needs.
Celery: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: It needs acid soil, and dry-climate soil is usually alkaline. Grow it in a large pot of acid potting mix.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 34°F.
Salsify: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 135 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 263 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Albuquerque, NM 230 mi · last frost around Apr 6
Tucson, AZ 262 mi · frost only briefly in winter
Lubbock, TX 297 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Mesa, AZ 331 mi · last frost around Feb 13
Phoenix, AZ 345 mi · frost only briefly in winter
All Texas cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the El Paso Intl Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).