When should I plant lettuce in ZIP 79901?

In ZIP 79901, the main lettuce target is around Mar 1, based on the representative El Paso frost station and USDA zone 8b.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in 79901?

Start lettuce seeds indoors in ZIP 79901 around Feb 15, about 28 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 79901 planting calendar

When to plant lettuce in El Paso, TX - Zone 8b

Q: When is the first frost in El Paso?

El Paso (ZIP 79901) has an average first fall frost around Nov 10, leaving about 240 frost-free days.

In ZIP 79901, plant lettuce around Mar 1; this uses the El Paso frost station, USDA zone 8b, and lettuce timing rules.

Your El Paso calendar has a 240-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative El Paso frost station, USDA zone 8b, and lettuce timing rules.

Source: el-paso-intl frost station, USDA zone 8b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 8b El Paso frost station Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start lettuce seeds indoors in El Paso

In ZIP 79901, start lettuce seeds indoors around Feb 15, about 28 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Start lettuce seeds indoors in El Paso around Feb 15, about 28 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Lettuce dates for El Paso, TX

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	February 15, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	March 1, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	March 1, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in El Paso?

El Paso (ZIP 79901) has an average last spring frost around Mar 15.

First frost

When is the first frost in El Paso?

The average first fall frost is around Nov 10, giving about 240 frost-free days.

Season map

Lettuce windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Feb 15

Direct sow

Mar 1

Transplant

Mar 1

Harvest

Apr 25

Frost watch

Sep 16

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start lettuce indoorsFeb 15

Direct sow lettuceMar 1

Transplant lettuceMar 1

Last frost windowMar 15

First lettuce harvest windowApr 25

Last lettuce sowing targetSep 16

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	March 15, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	November 10, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	240 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	8-12 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	40 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

El Paso frost history and USDA zone 8b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Lettuce timing notes

Succession sow every 10-14 days while weather is cool. Lettuce prefers sun to part shade, 8-12 in spacing, and soil near 40 F+.

For fall, count backward from Nov 10. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 16.