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ZIP 79901 planting calendar

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

In ZIP 79901, plant watermelon around Mar 29; this uses the El Paso frost station, USDA zone 8b, and watermelon 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 watermelon 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.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the el-paso-intl frost station and USDA zone 8b, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the El Paso area, watermelon timing follows the El Paso frost window, so the local ZIP date can differ from a broad zone-only calendar.

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

When to start watermelon seeds indoors in El Paso

In ZIP 79901, start watermelon seeds indoors around Feb 22, about 21 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Start watermelon seeds indoors in El Paso around Feb 22, about 21 days before the Mar 15 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Watermelon dates for El Paso, TX

StepDateHow to use it
Start IndoorsFebruary 22, 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.
Direct SowMarch 29, 2026Sow 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

Watermelon windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start indoors
Feb 22
Direct sow
Mar 29
Transplant
Mar 29
Harvest
Jun 27
Frost watch
Aug 12

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start watermelon indoorsFeb 22
Last frost windowMar 15
Direct sow watermelonMar 29
Transplant watermelonMar 29
First watermelon harvest windowJun 27
Last watermelon sowing targetAug 12
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.
Spacing36-60 inAirflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature70 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

Watermelon timing notes

Wait for warm soil; watermelon stalls when nights stay cool. Watermelon prefers full sun, 36-60 in spacing, and soil near 70 F+.

For fall, count backward from Nov 10. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 12.