When to Plant Vegetables in Canada
A complete planting guide for Canadian gardeners with timing for 20 popular vegetables, from seed starting to harvest.
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All times are relative to your last spring frost date. Find your frost date
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Transplant / Direct Sow | Frost Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | 6-8 weeks before last frost | 1-2 weeks after last frost | Very Tender |
| Peppers | 8-10 weeks before last frost | 2 weeks after last frost | Very Tender |
| Lettuce | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Semi-Hardy |
| Peas | Not recommended (direct sow) | 4-6 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Hardy |
| Beans | Not recommended (direct sow) | 1-2 weeks after last frost (direct sow) | Tender |
| Carrots | Not recommended (direct sow) | 2-3 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Semi-Hardy |
| Cucumbers | 3-4 weeks before last frost | 1-2 weeks after last frost | Very Tender |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | 3-4 weeks before last frost | 1-2 weeks after last frost | Tender |
| Kale | 4-6 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost (direct sow or transplant) | Hardy |
| Broccoli | 5-7 weeks before last frost | 2 weeks before last frost (transplant) | Semi-Hardy |
| Spinach | Not recommended (direct sow) | 4-6 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Hardy |
| Radishes | Not recommended (direct sow) | 4-6 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Hardy |
| Garlic | Not applicable | Plant cloves in October (fall planting) | Hardy |
| Onions | 10-12 weeks before last frost | 2-4 weeks before last frost (transplant) | Hardy |
| Potatoes | Not applicable (plant seed potatoes) | 2-4 weeks before last frost | Semi-Hardy |
| Beets | 4-5 weeks before last frost (optional) | 2-3 weeks before last frost (direct sow) | Semi-Hardy |
| Swiss Chard | 3-4 weeks before last frost | Around last frost date (direct sow or transplant) | Semi-Hardy |
| Corn | Not recommended (direct sow) | 1-2 weeks after last frost (direct sow) | Tender |
| Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Dill) | Basil: 6 weeks before last frost | After last frost (basil); direct sow (cilantro, dill) | Tender |
Detailed Planting Guide by Crop
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable in Canada. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date under grow lights. Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 15°C. Choose short-season varieties (55-65 days) for Prairie and Northern gardens. Determinate varieties work well in containers and small spaces, while indeterminate types produce all season for larger gardens.
Canadian Tip: Choose short-season varieties like Early Girl, Sub-Arctic Plenty, or Stupice for zones 3-4 where the growing season is under 120 days.
Peppers
Peppers need a long, warm growing season, making an early indoor start essential in Canada. Start seeds 8-10 weeks before your last frost date, keeping seedlings warm (21-27°C). Transplant outdoors when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 10°C. Hot peppers generally need more heat and time than sweet peppers. In short-season areas, use black plastic mulch and row covers to increase soil and air temperature.
Canadian Tip: In zones 3-4, grow peppers in containers on a sunny patio or use black plastic mulch and cloches to extend the season.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that thrives in Canadian spring and fall. Direct sow seeds as early as 2-4 weeks before your last frost date, or start indoors for earlier harvests. Lettuce bolts (goes to seed) in hot weather, so plan for spring and fall crops. Succession plant every 7-10 days for a continuous harvest throughout the season. Leaf lettuce matures faster than head types.
Canadian Tip: Plant heat-resistant varieties like Jericho or Muir for summer harvests, and cold-tolerant types like Winter Density for fall extension.
Peas
Peas are one of the earliest crops you can plant in the Canadian garden. Direct sow seeds 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, as soon as the soil can be worked and has reached 5°C. Peas actually prefer cool weather and will stop producing when temperatures consistently exceed 25°C. Provide support with trellises or netting for climbing varieties. Plant again in late summer for a fall harvest.
Canadian Tip: Inoculate seeds with rhizobium bacteria before planting to improve nitrogen fixation, especially in beds where peas have not been grown before.
Beans
Beans need warm soil (at least 16°C) to germinate and should not be planted until after your last frost date. Bush beans are compact and produce a concentrated harvest, making them ideal for succession planting every 2 weeks. Pole beans need support but produce over a longer period. Pick beans regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season.
Canadian Tip: Bush beans are the best choice for short-season gardens. Plant Provider or Contender varieties for reliable production in cool summers.
Carrots
Carrots are a direct-sow crop that does not transplant well. Sow seeds 2-3 weeks before your last frost date in loose, stone-free soil. Seeds are slow to germinate (14-21 days), so keep the soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to 2-5 cm apart once they reach 5 cm tall. Carrots sweeten after a light frost, making them an excellent fall harvest crop. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks until midsummer.
Canadian Tip: Leave carrots in the ground into fall. Light frosts convert starches to sugars, producing the sweetest carrots of the season.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are warm-season crops that need soil temperatures of at least 16°C. Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after all frost danger has passed. Cucumbers grow quickly and benefit from trellising to save space and improve air circulation. Pick regularly to keep plants producing. In cooler regions, use row covers early in the season to boost growth.
Canadian Tip: Grow compact bush varieties in containers or small gardens. Cool Breeze and Spacemaster are bred for short-season Canadian growing.
Zucchini & Summer Squash
Zucchini and summer squash are prolific producers that grow quickly in warm conditions. Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after frost danger has passed. Each plant needs about 1 square metre of space. Harvest zucchini when 15-20 cm long for best flavour and texture. Regular picking encourages continued production. One or two plants are usually enough for a family.
Canadian Tip: Direct sowing after last frost works well even in short-season areas, as squash matures quickly. Choose early varieties like Raven or Costata Romanesco.
Kale
Kale is one of the hardiest vegetables in the Canadian garden, tolerating temperatures down to -10°C. Plant in early spring for summer harvests, and again in mid-summer for fall and winter crops. Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the centre to continue growing. Kale actually tastes sweeter after frost exposure. It can be grown almost year-round in mild coastal regions and provides nutritious greens well into late fall across most of Canada.
Canadian Tip: Kale planted in July can be harvested through October and November in most Canadian zones. Mulch heavily for overwinter harvests in zone 5+.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season brassica that produces best when temperatures are between 15-20°C. Start seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before your last frost date and transplant hardened-off seedlings 2 weeks before the last frost. Harvest the main head when florets are tight, then continue harvesting side shoots for weeks. A fall planting (started in mid-summer) often produces better heads than spring as the crop matures in cooling temperatures.
Canadian Tip: Start a second crop indoors in June for fall harvest. Fall broccoli often produces larger, sweeter heads as it matures in cool weather.
Spinach
Spinach is a fast-growing cool-season green that can be direct sown as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. It tolerates frost well and actually prefers cooler temperatures. Spinach bolts quickly in warm weather (above 22°C), so focus on spring and fall plantings. Succession plant every 10 days for continuous harvests. For summer harvests, grow heat-tolerant varieties or switch to New Zealand spinach.
Canadian Tip: Sow spinach in September for a late fall harvest. In zones 5-6, mulched spinach can overwinter and provide the earliest spring greens.
Radishes
Radishes are the fastest vegetable to harvest, with some varieties ready in as little as 20 days. Direct sow every 7-10 days starting 4-6 weeks before last frost for a continuous supply. Radishes prefer cool weather and become pithy and hot in summer heat. Use them as row markers for slow-germinating crops like carrots and parsnips. Winter radishes like Daikon need to be planted in mid-to-late summer for fall harvest.
Canadian Tip: Radishes make excellent row markers when interplanted with slow-germinating carrots. They break up the soil and are harvested before carrots need the space.
Garlic
Garlic is planted in the fall in Canada, typically 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. Plant individual cloves 5 cm deep and 15 cm apart, then mulch heavily with straw. Garlic overwinters and begins growing in early spring. Hardneck varieties are best for Canadian gardens as they are more cold-hardy and produce flavourful scapes in spring. Harvest when the lower third of leaves have turned brown.
Canadian Tip: Plant hardneck varieties like Music or Russian Red, which are bred for Canadian winters and produce edible scapes as a bonus spring crop.
Onions
Onions require a long growing season and should be started indoors very early, 10-12 weeks before your last frost date. Canadian gardeners should grow long-day varieties, which form bulbs when daylight exceeds 14-16 hours. Transplant seedlings outdoors 2-4 weeks before last frost. Onion sets (small bulbs) can also be planted directly in early spring for a quicker but smaller harvest.
Canadian Tip: Always choose long-day onion varieties for Canada. Short-day varieties will not form proper bulbs at our northern latitudes.
Potatoes
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before your last frost date, as soon as the soil reaches 7°C. Cut larger seed potatoes into pieces with 2-3 eyes each and let them cure for a day before planting. Hill soil around stems as they grow to increase tuber production and prevent greening. Early varieties are ready in 70-80 days, while maincrop varieties take 100-120 days. Harvest after the tops die back.
Canadian Tip: Try early varieties like Warba or Norland for short-season areas. Hilling with straw instead of soil makes harvesting easier.
Beets
Beets are a dual-purpose crop, providing both nutritious roots and edible greens. Direct sow 2-3 weeks before your last frost date, or start indoors for earlier harvests. Each beet seed is actually a cluster of seeds, so thin seedlings to 8 cm apart. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks through midsummer. Beets tolerate light frost, making them excellent for spring and fall gardens.
Canadian Tip: Harvest beet greens when young for salads. The roots can be stored in a cool root cellar for months, providing fresh vegetables through winter.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a heat-tolerant alternative to spinach that produces colourful, nutritious leaves all season long. Sow seeds around your last frost date or start indoors 3-4 weeks earlier. Unlike spinach, chard does not bolt in hot weather, providing greens from late spring through fall. Harvest outer leaves regularly, and the plant will continue producing new growth from the centre.
Canadian Tip: Chard can survive frosts down to -5°C, making it one of the last crops standing in your fall garden. Rainbow varieties add colour to beds and plates.
Corn
Corn requires warm soil (at least 16°C) and a long, warm growing season. Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than long single rows, as corn is wind-pollinated. Direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. Corn is a heavy feeder and benefits from rich, well-amended soil. In short-season areas, choose early-maturing varieties (60-70 days) and use black plastic mulch to warm the soil.
Canadian Tip: Choose early varieties like Earlivee (63 days) or Early Sunglow (63 days) for Prairie and Northern gardens where the season is short.
Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Dill)
Basil is tender and should be started indoors 6 weeks before last frost, then transplanted after all frost danger has passed. Cilantro and dill prefer to be direct sown, as they bolt quickly and transplant poorly. Succession plant cilantro every 2 weeks for a continuous supply. Dill self-seeds readily and attracts beneficial insects. Harvest herbs regularly to encourage bushy growth.
Canadian Tip: For continuous cilantro, plant Slow Bolt or Santo varieties and sow every 10-14 days from spring through late summer.
Regional Planting Windows
General planting timelines for three major Canadian growing regions
| Region | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant Out | Direct Sow Warm | Harvest Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal BC (Zones 7-8) | Mid-March | February | Late March - April | May | November |
| Southern Ontario & Quebec (Zones 5-6) | Late April - Mid-May | March | Late May | Late May - June | October |
| Prairies (Zones 2-4) | Late May - Early June | March - April | Early June | June | September |
Canadian Planting Guide FAQ
When should I start planting vegetables in Canada?
It depends on your region and the crop. Hardy cool-season crops like peas, spinach, and radishes can be direct sown 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Tender warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should not go outdoors until 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. In most of Canada, indoor seed starting begins in March and outdoor planting happens from late April through June.
What vegetables grow best in Canadian gardens?
The most popular and reliable vegetables for Canadian gardens include tomatoes, peas, beans, lettuce, kale, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, potatoes, garlic, and herbs like basil and cilantro. Choose short-season varieties if you garden in zones 2-4 (Prairies and Northern Canada).
How do I find my last frost date?
Your last frost date depends on your location. Use our frost dates page to find average last spring and first fall frost dates for 27 Canadian cities. You can also check Environment Canada climate normals for your nearest weather station. Remember that frost dates are averages and actual dates vary year to year.
Can I grow vegetables year-round in Canada?
In most of Canada, outdoor vegetable growing is seasonal, limited by frost dates and daylight hours. However, you can extend your season significantly with cold frames, row covers, and unheated greenhouses. In coastal BC (zones 7-8), many cool-season crops can be grown almost year-round. Indoor growing under lights is an option for greens and herbs in winter anywhere in Canada.
What is the difference between direct sowing and transplanting?
Direct sowing means planting seeds directly in the garden where they will grow. Transplanting means starting seeds indoors weeks earlier, then moving the young plants outdoors once conditions are suitable. Root vegetables (carrots, radishes, beets) and peas/beans are almost always direct sown. Tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli are almost always started indoors and transplanted.
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