Calgary Planting Calendar 2026
Calgary (zone 4a) has just 115 frost-free days with a last frost date of May 23. Late spring frosts and early fall frosts require aggressive season extension. Wall-O-Water, cold frames, and short-season varieties are essential tools for Calgary gardeners.
Zone 4a • Last frost: May 23 • First fall frost: Sep 15 • 115 frost-free days
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
When to plant 15 popular vegetables in Calgary (zone 4a), based on the average last frost date of May 23.
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 Calgary
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Calgary.
| 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 |
Calgary Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start peppers and onions indoors (10 weeks before last frost).
- ✓April: Start tomatoes, broccoli, and herbs indoors. Set up Wall-O-Water for early tomato transplants.
- ✓May: Direct-sow peas, spinach, and radishes early month. Harden off transplants.
- ✓June: Transplant warm crops after the long weekend (late May). Direct-sow beans and corn after June 1.
- ✓July: Succession-sow lettuce and radishes. Monitor for hail — consider netting.
- ✓August: Harvest early crops. Cover tender plants on cool nights.
- ✓September: Frost arrives around Sep 15 — harvest remaining crops or protect with cover.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Calgary?
In Calgary (zone 4a), the average last frost date is May 23. Hardy crops like peas, spinach, and radishes can be planted 3-5 weeks before this date. Tender crops like tomatoes and peppers should wait until after the last frost.
What is the last frost date in Calgary?
The average last spring frost in Calgary is May 23, and the first fall frost is Sep 15, giving you approximately 115 frost-free growing days.
What vegetables grow best in Calgary?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Calgary. In zone 4a, 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 Calgary?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Calgary with a last frost around May 23, that means starting peppers in March and tomatoes in April.
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