Hamilton Planting Calendar 2026
Hamilton (zone 6b) enjoys 183 frost-free days at the western tip of Lake Ontario. The Niagara Escarpment creates microclimates — sheltered gardens below the escarpment can be warmer than hilltop sites. Rich agricultural land and moderate climate support diverse crops.
Zone 6b • Last frost: Apr 22 • First fall frost: Oct 22 • 183 frost-free days
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
When to plant 15 popular vegetables in Hamilton (zone 6b), based on the average last frost date of Apr 22.
March
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 18 | May 17 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 18 | Apr 27 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 18 | Apr 12 | Hardy |
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | May 16 | Semi-Hardy |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 5 | Jun 14 | Semi-Hardy |
| Kale | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | May 26 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8 | Jun 12 | Semi-Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 4 | Apr 1 | Jul 10 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Apr 1 | Jun 30 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Mar 22 | Apr 5 | May 30 | Semi-Hardy |
May
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 | May 3 | Jul 17 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Feb 18 | May 6 | Jul 15 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 3 | Jun 27 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 | May 3 | Jun 27 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 | May 3 | Jun 22 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for Hamilton
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Hamilton.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 | May 3 | Jul 17 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Feb 18 | May 6 | Jul 15 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | May 16 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 18 | May 17 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 3 | Jun 27 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 5 | Jun 14 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 | May 3 | Jun 27 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 | May 3 | Jun 22 | Tender |
| Kale | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | May 26 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8 | Jun 12 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 18 | Apr 27 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 18 | Apr 12 | Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 4 | Apr 1 | Jul 10 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Apr 1 | Jun 30 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Mar 22 | Apr 5 | May 30 | Semi-Hardy |
Hamilton Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant indoors. Sow onion seeds.
- ✓April: Direct-sow peas, spinach, radishes, and lettuce. Transplant brassicas.
- ✓May: Transplant warm crops after last frost (around Apr 22). Plant beans and squash.
- ✓June: Succession-sow lettuce, beans, and carrots. Mulch to conserve moisture.
- ✓July: Harvest garlic and peas. Sow fall brassicas. Peak growing season.
- ✓August: Main harvest — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. Sow fall greens.
- ✓September: Continue warm-crop harvest. Plant garlic cloves.
- ✓October: First frost around Oct 22 — one of the latest in Ontario. Extend with row cover.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Hamilton?
In Hamilton (zone 6b), the average last frost date is Apr 22. 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 Hamilton?
The average last spring frost in Hamilton is Apr 22, and the first fall frost is Oct 22, giving you approximately 183 frost-free growing days.
What vegetables grow best in Hamilton?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Hamilton. In zone 6b, 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 Hamilton?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Hamilton with a last frost around Apr 22, that means starting peppers in February and tomatoes in March.
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