British Columbia Planting Calendar 2026
British Columbia's coastal zones enjoy Canada's mildest winters and longest growing seasons (up to 260 frost-free days near Victoria). Interior regions like the Okanagan have warm, dry summers ideal for tomatoes and peppers, while northern BC gardens on a short-season schedule.
Zones 4a-9a • Reference city: Vancouver (last frost: Mar 28)
Frost Dates in British Columbia
Average last spring frost and first fall frost dates for British Columbia cities. Your planting calendar depends on these dates.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Frost-Free Days | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | Mar 28 | Nov 2 | 219 | 8a |
| Victoria | Mar 5 | Nov 15 | 255 | 8b |
| Kelowna | Apr 25 | Oct 8 | 166 | 6b |
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
Planting dates based on Vancouver's frost dates. Select your city above for more precise timing.
February
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 22 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 2 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Mar 18 | Hardy |
March
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | Apr 21 | Semi-Hardy |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Mar 11 | May 20 | Semi-Hardy |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | May 1 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | May 18 | Semi-Hardy |
| Onions | Jan 10 | Mar 7 | Jun 15 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 7 | Jun 5 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Feb 25 | Mar 11 | May 5 | Semi-Hardy |
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 | Apr 8 | Jun 22 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Jan 24 | Apr 11 | Jun 20 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | May 28 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for British Columbia
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for British Columbia.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 | Apr 8 | Jun 22 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Jan 24 | Apr 11 | Jun 20 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | Apr 21 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 22 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Mar 11 | May 20 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | May 28 | Tender |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | May 1 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | May 18 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 2 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Mar 18 | Hardy |
| Onions | Jan 10 | Mar 7 | Jun 15 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 7 | Jun 5 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Feb 25 | Mar 11 | May 5 | Semi-Hardy |
British Columbia Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓February: Coastal gardeners can direct-sow peas, fava beans, and spinach.
- ✓March: Start tomatoes and peppers indoors; sow lettuce and kale outdoors on the coast.
- ✓April: Transplant brassicas outdoors; direct-sow carrots and beets.
- ✓May: Set out warm crops on the coast; interior gardeners wait until late May.
- ✓June: Plant beans, corn, and squash; succession-sow lettuce every 2 weeks.
- ✓July: Sow fall brassicas; harvest garlic when lower leaves brown.
- ✓August: Start overwintering crops (broad beans, garlic) on the coast.
- ✓September: Plant garlic and cover crops; extend harvests under row cover.
- ✓October: Coastal gardens can keep harvesting kale, chard, and leeks through winter.
Plan your British Columbia garden
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City Planting Calendars in British Columbia
Detailed planting calendars for British Columbia cities with exact dates based on local frost data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in British Columbia?
Planting dates in British Columbia vary by location (zones 4a-9a). Check the frost dates table above for your nearest city, then use our calculator for exact dates.
What is the last frost date in British Columbia?
Last frost dates in British Columbia 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 British Columbia?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across British Columbia. In zone 4a-9a, 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 British Columbia?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In British Columbia with a last frost around Mar 28, that means starting peppers in January and tomatoes in February.
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