Montreal Planting Calendar 2026
Montreal (zone 5b) enjoys 157 frost-free days with warm, humid summers ideal for tomatoes, peppers, and squash. The island's urban heat island effect and St. Lawrence River moderation extend the season beyond what zone 5b might suggest.
Zone 5b • Last frost: May 3 • First fall frost: Oct 7 • 157 frost-free days
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
When to plant 15 popular vegetables in Montreal (zone 5b), based on the average last frost date of May 3.
March
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 29 | May 28 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 29 | May 8 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 29 | Apr 23 | Hardy |
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Mar 29 | Apr 12 | May 27 | Semi-Hardy |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 16 | Jun 25 | Semi-Hardy |
| Kale | Mar 29 | Apr 12 | Jun 6 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19 | Jun 23 | Semi-Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 15 | Apr 12 | Jul 21 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Apr 12 | Jul 11 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Jun 10 | Semi-Hardy |
May
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 | May 14 | Jul 28 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Mar 1 | May 17 | Jul 26 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 14 | Jul 8 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 8 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 3 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for Montreal
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Montreal.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 | May 14 | Jul 28 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Mar 1 | May 17 | Jul 26 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 | Apr 12 | May 27 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 29 | May 28 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 14 | Jul 8 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 16 | Jun 25 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 8 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 14 | Jul 3 | Tender |
| Kale | Mar 29 | Apr 12 | Jun 6 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19 | Jun 23 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 29 | May 8 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 29 | Apr 23 | Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 15 | Apr 12 | Jul 21 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Apr 12 | Jul 11 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | Jun 10 | Semi-Hardy |
Montreal Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start peppers, onions, and leeks indoors. Sugar season signals seed starting time.
- ✓April: Start tomatoes and herbs indoors. Direct-sow peas and spinach outdoors late month.
- ✓May: Transplant brassicas early. Warm crops go out after last frost (around May 3).
- ✓June: Plant beans, cucumbers, squash, and corn. Succession-sow lettuce every 2 weeks.
- ✓July: Harvest garlic and peas. Sow fall brassicas.
- ✓August: Peak harvest — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. Sow fall spinach and lettuce.
- ✓September: Continue harvesting. Plant garlic cloves by end of month.
- ✓October: First frost around Oct 7. Harvest remaining crops; mulch perennials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Montreal?
In Montreal (zone 5b), the average last frost date is May 3. 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 Montreal?
The average last spring frost in Montreal is May 3, and the first fall frost is Oct 7, giving you approximately 157 frost-free growing days.
What vegetables grow best in Montreal?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Montreal. In zone 5b, 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 Montreal?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Montreal with a last frost around May 3, that means starting peppers in February and tomatoes in March.
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