GrowZone

ZIP 79901 planting calendar

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

In ZIP 79901, plant peppers around Mar 29; this uses the El Paso frost station, USDA zone 8b, and peppers 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 peppers 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 peppers seeds indoors in El Paso

In ZIP 79901, start peppers seeds indoors around Jan 18, about 56 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Start peppers seeds indoors in El Paso around Jan 18, about 56 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Peppers dates for El Paso, TX

StepDateHow to use it
Start IndoorsJanuary 18, 2026Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant OutdoorsMarch 29, 2026Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk 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

Peppers windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start indoors
Jan 18
Transplant
Mar 29
Harvest
Jun 22
Frost watch
Aug 17

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start peppers indoorsJan 18
Last frost windowMar 15
Transplant peppersMar 29
First peppers harvest windowJun 22
Last peppers sowing targetAug 17
SignalValueWhy it matters
Last frost estimateMarch 15, 2026Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimateNovember 10, 2026Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length240 daysLonger seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing18 inAirflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature65 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

Peppers timing notes

Peppers stall in cold soil, so wait for warm nights. Peppers prefers full sun, 18 in spacing, and soil near 65 F+.

For fall, count backward from Nov 10. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 17.