Alberta Planting Calendar 2026
Alberta's short growing season (90-130 frost-free days) demands strategic planning. Calgary gardeners traditionally wait until after the June long weekend to transplant tender crops. Use season extension tools like Wall-O-Water and cold frames to gain precious weeks.
Zones 1a-4b • Reference city: Calgary (last frost: May 23)
Frost Dates in Alberta
Average last spring frost and first fall frost dates for Alberta cities. Your planting calendar depends on these dates.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Frost-Free Days | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | May 23 | Sep 15 | 115 | 4a |
| Edmonton | May 7 | Sep 23 | 139 | 4a |
| Lethbridge | May 17 | Sep 20 | 126 | 4b |
| Red Deer | May 25 | Sep 9 | 107 | 3b |
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
Planting dates based on Calgary's frost dates. Select your city above for more precise timing.
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow | Apr 18 | Jun 17 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Apr 18 | May 28 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Apr 18 | May 13 | Hardy |
May
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Apr 18 | May 2 | Jun 16 | Semi-Hardy |
| Carrots | Direct sow | May 6 | Jul 15 | Semi-Hardy |
| Kale | Apr 18 | May 2 | Jun 26 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Apr 11 | May 9 | Jul 13 | Semi-Hardy |
| Onions | Mar 7 | May 2 | Aug 10 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | May 2 | Jul 31 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Apr 22 | May 6 | Jun 30 | Semi-Hardy |
June
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 | Jun 3 | Aug 17 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Mar 21 | Jun 6 | Aug 15 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | Jun 3 | Jul 28 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Apr 29 | Jun 3 | Jul 28 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | Jun 3 | Jul 23 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for Alberta
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Alberta.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 | Jun 3 | Aug 17 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Mar 21 | Jun 6 | Aug 15 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Apr 18 | May 2 | Jun 16 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Apr 18 | Jun 17 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | Jun 3 | Jul 28 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | May 6 | Jul 15 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Apr 29 | Jun 3 | Jul 28 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | Jun 3 | Jul 23 | Tender |
| Kale | Apr 18 | May 2 | Jun 26 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Apr 11 | May 9 | Jul 13 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Apr 18 | May 28 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Apr 18 | May 13 | Hardy |
| Onions | Mar 7 | May 2 | Aug 10 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | May 2 | Jul 31 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Apr 22 | May 6 | Jun 30 | Semi-Hardy |
Alberta Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start peppers and onions indoors under grow lights (9-10 weeks before last frost).
- ✓April: Start tomatoes, broccoli, and herbs indoors. Prepare raised beds for early sowing.
- ✓May: Direct-sow peas, spinach, and radishes mid-month. Harden off transplants.
- ✓June: Transplant warm crops after the long weekend. Direct-sow beans and corn.
- ✓July: Succession-sow lettuce and radishes. Watch for hail — consider hail netting.
- ✓August: Harvest begins in earnest. Sow spinach for fall harvest.
- ✓September: Cover tender crops on cold nights; harvest before hard frost (mid-month).
Plan your Alberta garden
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City Planting Calendars in Alberta
Detailed planting calendars for Alberta cities with exact dates based on local frost data.
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Planting Calendars by Province
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Alberta?
Planting dates in Alberta vary by location (zones 1a-4b). Check the frost dates table above for your nearest city, then use our calculator for exact dates.
What is the last frost date in Alberta?
Last frost dates in Alberta range from early April to late May depending on your city. See the frost dates table above for specific dates.
What vegetables grow best in Alberta?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Alberta. In zone 1a-4b, tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers also do well with proper timing. Use our free calculator for exact planting dates.
When should I start seeds indoors in Alberta?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Alberta with a last frost around May 23, that means starting peppers in March and tomatoes in April.
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