Quebec Planting Calendar 2026
Quebec's St. Lawrence Valley offers 150+ frost-free days near Montreal, while northern regions work with 100 days or fewer. Quebec's fertile clay soils and warm, humid summers support excellent yields of tomatoes, squash, and root vegetables.
Zones 1a-5b • Reference city: Montreal (last frost: May 3)
Frost Dates in Quebec
Average last spring frost and first fall frost dates for Quebec cities. Your planting calendar depends on these dates.
| City | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost | Frost-Free Days | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | May 3 | Oct 7 | 157 | 5b |
| Quebec City | May 13 | Sep 28 | 138 | 4b |
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
Planting dates based on Montreal's frost dates. Select your city above for more precise timing.
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 Quebec
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Quebec.
| 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 |
Quebec Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start peppers, onions, and leeks indoors. Maple sugar season signals seed starting time.
- ✓April: Start tomatoes and herbs indoors. Direct-sow peas and spinach outdoors late in the month.
- ✓May: Transplant brassicas early May. Warm crops go out after last frost (early-mid May in Montreal).
- ✓June: Plant beans, cucumbers, and squash. Succession-sow lettuce every 2 weeks.
- ✓July: Harvest garlic; succession-sow beans and radishes for fall.
- ✓August: Start fall brassicas. Begin harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
- ✓September: Plant garlic cloves. Extend the season with row covers and cold frames.
- ✓October: Harvest remaining crops before hard frost. Prepare beds for next year.
Plan your Quebec garden
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City Planting Calendars in Quebec
Detailed planting calendars for Quebec 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 Quebec?
Planting dates in Quebec vary by location (zones 1a-5b). Check the frost dates table above for your nearest city, then use our calculator for exact dates.
What is the last frost date in Quebec?
Last frost dates in Quebec 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 Quebec?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Quebec. In zone 1a-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 Quebec?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Quebec with a last frost around May 3, that means starting peppers in February and tomatoes in March.
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