Ontario Planting Calendar 2026
Ontario spans from mild zone 7a along the Niagara Peninsula to zone 2a in the far north. Southern Ontario enjoys one of Canada's longest growing seasons — up to 200 frost-free days — while northern communities work with 115 days or fewer.
Zones 2a-7a • Reference city: Toronto (last frost: Apr 20)
Frost Dates in Ontario
Average last spring frost and first fall frost dates for Ontario cities. Your planting calendar depends on these dates.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Frost-Free Days | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Apr 20 | Oct 30 | 193 | 6b |
| Ottawa | May 6 | Oct 1 | 148 | 5a |
| Hamilton | Apr 22 | Oct 22 | 183 | 6b |
| London | May 5 | Oct 6 | 154 | 6a |
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
Planting dates based on Toronto's frost dates. Select your city above for more precise timing.
March
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Mar 30 | May 14 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 16 | May 15 | Hardy |
| Kale | Mar 16 | Mar 30 | May 24 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 16 | Apr 25 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 16 | Apr 10 | Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 2 | Mar 30 | Jul 8 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 30 | Jun 28 | Semi-Hardy |
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 3 | Jun 12 | Semi-Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6 | Jun 10 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 28 | Semi-Hardy |
May
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 | May 1 | Jul 15 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Feb 16 | May 4 | Jul 13 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 1 | Jun 25 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 | May 1 | Jun 25 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | May 1 | Jun 20 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for Ontario
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Ontario.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 | May 1 | Jul 15 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Feb 16 | May 4 | Jul 13 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Mar 30 | May 14 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Mar 16 | May 15 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | May 1 | Jun 25 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Apr 3 | Jun 12 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 | May 1 | Jun 25 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | May 1 | Jun 20 | Tender |
| Kale | Mar 16 | Mar 30 | May 24 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6 | Jun 10 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Mar 16 | Apr 25 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Mar 16 | Apr 10 | Hardy |
| Onions | Feb 2 | Mar 30 | Jul 8 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 30 | Jun 28 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 28 | Semi-Hardy |
Ontario Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start tomatoes, peppers, and onions indoors under grow lights.
- ✓April: Direct-sow peas, spinach, and radishes as soon as soil can be worked.
- ✓May: Transplant warm-season crops after Victoria Day (May 20) in the south.
- ✓June: Plant beans, cucumbers, and squash once soil is warm.
- ✓July: Succession-sow lettuce and radishes for fall harvest.
- ✓August: Start fall brassicas; harvest garlic when lower leaves brown.
- ✓September: Plant garlic cloves for next year; extend harvests with row cover.
- ✓October: Pull remaining warm crops before first frost; mulch perennial herbs.
Plan your Ontario garden
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City Planting Calendars in Ontario
Detailed planting calendars for Ontario 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 Ontario?
Planting dates in Ontario vary by location (zones 2a-7a). Check the frost dates table above for your nearest city, then use our calculator for exact dates.
What is the last frost date in Ontario?
Last frost dates in Ontario 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 Ontario?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Ontario. In zone 2a-7a, 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 Ontario?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Ontario with a last frost around Apr 20, that means starting peppers in February and tomatoes in March.
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