Vancouver Planting Calendar 2026
Vancouver (zone 8a) boasts 219 frost-free days and supports near year-round gardening. Mild, wet winters allow overwintering of many crops. The challenge is managing wet conditions and providing enough heat for warm-season crops like tomatoes.
Zone 8a • Last frost: Mar 28 • First fall frost: Nov 2 • 219 frost-free days
Month-by-Month Planting Schedule
When to plant 15 popular vegetables in Vancouver (zone 8a), based on the average last frost date of Mar 28.
February
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 22 | Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 2 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Mar 18 | Hardy |
March
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | Apr 21 | Semi-Hardy |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Mar 11 | May 20 | Semi-Hardy |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | May 1 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | May 18 | Semi-Hardy |
| Onions | Jan 10 | Mar 7 | Jun 15 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 7 | Jun 5 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Feb 25 | Mar 11 | May 5 | Semi-Hardy |
April
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 | Apr 8 | Jun 22 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Jan 24 | Apr 11 | Jun 20 | Very Tender |
| Beans | Direct sow | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | May 28 | Tender |
Complete Planting Dates for Vancouver
All 15 vegetables with indoor start, outdoor planting, and estimated harvest dates for Vancouver.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Plant Outdoors | Harvest By | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 | Apr 8 | Jun 22 | Very Tender |
| Peppers | Jan 24 | Apr 11 | Jun 20 | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | Apr 21 | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 22 | Hardy |
| Beans | Direct sow | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Tender |
| Carrots | Direct sow | Mar 11 | May 20 | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | Jun 2 | Very Tender |
| Zucchini | Mar 4 | Apr 8 | May 28 | Tender |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Mar 7 | May 1 | Hardy |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | May 18 | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Apr 2 | Hardy |
| Radishes | Direct sow | Feb 21 | Mar 18 | Hardy |
| Onions | Jan 10 | Mar 7 | Jun 15 | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Direct sow | Mar 7 | Jun 5 | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | Feb 25 | Mar 11 | May 5 | Semi-Hardy |
Vancouver Gardening Tips by Month
- ✓February: Direct-sow peas, fava beans, spinach, and arugula outdoors.
- ✓March: Start tomatoes and peppers indoors. Sow lettuce, kale, and radishes outdoors.
- ✓April: Transplant brassicas. Direct-sow carrots, beets, and chard.
- ✓May: Set out warm crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after last frost (Mar 28).
- ✓June: Plant beans, corn, cucumbers, and squash. Succession-sow lettuce.
- ✓July: Sow fall brassicas and overwintering leeks. Harvest garlic.
- ✓August: Plant overwintering broad beans and garlic. Sow fall spinach.
- ✓September: Fall garden in full swing. Continue harvesting warm crops.
- ✓October: Kale, chard, leeks, and carrots continue through winter with minimal cover.
- ✓November: Plant garlic if not done. Winter garden of greens and root crops continues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planting in Vancouver?
In Vancouver (zone 8a), the average last frost date is Mar 28. 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 Vancouver?
The average last spring frost in Vancouver is Mar 28, and the first fall frost is Nov 2, giving you approximately 219 frost-free growing days.
What vegetables grow best in Vancouver?
Hardy crops like peas, kale, spinach, and potatoes grow well across Vancouver. In zone 8a, 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 Vancouver?
Start peppers and onions 9-11 weeks before your last frost date, tomatoes 7 weeks before, and brassicas 5-6 weeks before. In Vancouver with a last frost around Mar 28, that means starting peppers in January and tomatoes in February.
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