What to plant this week in El Paso, TX
With the last frost historically occurring just March 1st, El Paso gardeners are well past the cold danger and should focus on maximizing heat-loving crops before winter hits in December. This week marks a critical window to sow warm-season giants like okra and bush beans, as our desert air is already primed for rapid germination.
The next 7 days
El Paso, TXGrowing in El Paso right now
- Our alluvial soils near the Rio Grande can become crusty under intense sun; break up the surface with a hoe before sowing beans or squash to ensure seed-to-soil contact.
- El Paso's unique monsoon season often brings sudden thunderstorms in July and August, so consider mulching around newly transplanted zucchini and cucumbers to retain moisture during these brief but heavy showers.
- With minimum temperatures hovering near 15°F only in early spring, you do not need frost cloth right now; instead, focus on watering deep and early morning to beat the midday heat that evaporates soil moisture quickly.
- Since we lack a long fall season for cold-hardy greens, prioritize harvesting your winter squash and pumpkins this week while they are still maturing in our mild 8b climate.
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and zucchini to retain moisture as days get warmer.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of sunflowers and sweet corn to ensure proper air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor for spider mites on French marigolds and summer savory as the intense El Paso heat dries out foliage and invites these microscopic pests.
- Watch closely for squash vine borers attacking your zucchini, yellow summer squash, and cucumbers; their larvae bore into stems causing plants to wilt rapidly in our hot environment.
- Check container gardens for aphids on basil and nasturtiums, which can spread quickly when humidity rises slightly from evening cooling.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.
Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.
El Paso gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my okra seeds now without worrying about frost?
Yes, absolutely. Since the average last frost date is March 1st, it is safe to sow okra directly into the ground this week as our soil has warmed sufficiently for these heat-loving plants.
What should I do if my zucchini leaves show holes after a recent rain?
Inspect the stems for entry holes and sawdust-like frass, which indicates squash vine borers; if found, remove the affected plant immediately to prevent larvae from migrating to neighboring vines in our dense gardens.
Is it too late to harvest my winter squash before the first frost on December 1st?
Not at all. The window between now and mid-December is prime time for maturing pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash, allowing them to develop full sugar content in our mild El Paso autumn.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your El Paso garden in SproutGuide →