Toronto Planting Calendar 2026
Toronto (zone 6b) enjoys 193 frost-free days — one of the longest growing seasons in Canada. The urban heat island effect means downtown gardens may be even milder. Lake Ontario moderates temperatures, extending fall harvests well into October.
Zone 6b • Last frost: Apr 20 • First fall frost: Oct 30 • 193 frost-free days
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
When to plant 15 popular vegetables in Toronto (zone 6b), based on the average last frost date of Apr 20.
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 Toronto
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Toronto.
| 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 |
Toronto Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓March: Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant indoors. Sow onion seeds under lights.
- ✓April: Direct-sow peas, spinach, radishes, and lettuce outdoors. Transplant brassicas.
- ✓May: Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and herbs after last frost (around Apr 20). Plant beans and squash.
- ✓June: Succession-sow lettuce, beans, and carrots. Mulch to retain moisture.
- ✓July: Harvest garlic, peas, and early potatoes. Sow fall brassicas.
- ✓August: Peak tomato and pepper harvest. Sow fall spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
- ✓September: Continue harvesting warm crops. Plant garlic cloves.
- ✓October: First frost around Oct 30 — extend with row cover. Harvest root crops.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Toronto?
In Toronto (zone 6b), the average last frost date is Apr 20. 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 Toronto?
The average last spring frost in Toronto is Apr 20, and the first fall frost is Oct 30, giving you approximately 193 frost-free growing days.
What vegetables grow best in Toronto?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Toronto. 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 Toronto?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Toronto with a last frost around Apr 20, that means starting peppers in February and tomatoes in March.
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