Tornillo, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Tornillo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tornillo falls between March 5 and April 9, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 230-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 81 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with El Paso, TX, 40 km away, the last frost here is 19 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 5 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Tornillo, TX
Tornillo, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 6, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tornillo, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Tornillo 2 Sse, TX weather station, 5 km away (elevation 3,524 ft (1,074 m)).
Frost dates near Tornillo
- Fabens Mar 21 · Nov 6
- Clint Mar 21 · Nov 6
- San Elizario Mar 21 · Nov 6
- Fort Hancock Mar 29 · Nov 6
- El Paso Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Fort Bliss Mar 2 · Nov 20
- Canutillo Feb 28 · Nov 20
- Sierra Blanca Mar 29 · Nov 6
- Anthony Feb 28 · Nov 20
- Salt Flat Apr 17 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tornillo, TX?
The median last spring frost in Tornillo, TX is March 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tornillo, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Tornillo, TX?
About 230 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tornillo, TX?
Tornillo, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.