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Planting Calendar for Ottawa, ON

Enter your zip code or postal code above.

The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 13 (at OTTAWA CDA, ON climate station, elevation 259 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 27-May 6
Frost Apr 15-22
Aug 29
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 13
May 13
BasilFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost May 27-Jun 10
Moon May 27-Jun 10
Frost May 27-Jun 10
Moon May 27-Jun 10
Aug 15
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 13
Frost Apr 15-22
Moon Apr 15-22
May 27
Bell PeppersFrost Mar 3-18
Moon Mar 3-14
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
N/AJul 4
Bok ChoyFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jun 24
BroccoliFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 15-22
Jul 25
Brussels SproutsFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 15-22
Jun 20
CabbageFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 15-22
May 20
CantaloupesFrost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 27-May 6
Frost May 13-27
Moon May 26-27
Frost May 20-27
Moon May 26-27
Jun 20
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-26
Jul 18
CauliflowerFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost May 6-20
Moon May 6-12
N/AJul 11
CeleryFrost Feb 17-Mar 3
Moon Feb 27-Mar 3
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
Frost May 13
Jul 18
ChivesFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Aug 1
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 13-27
Moon May 26-27
Jun 3
CollardsFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Jul 18
CucumbersFrost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jul 18
DillN/AN/AFrost May 6-27
Moon May 6-12, May 26-27
Aug 1
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jun 20
EggplantsFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
N/AJul 18
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-22
May 27
FennelFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost May 20-27
Moon May 26-27
Frost May 13-27
Moon May 26-27
Jul 11
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 20-Jun 10
Moon May 26-Jun 10
Jul 18
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jun 27
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Mar 3-18
Moon Mar 3-14
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 15-22
May 27
KohlrabiFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost Apr 15-22
May 27
LeeksFrost Mar 3-18
Moon Mar 3-14
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 27-May 6
N/AJun 13
LettuceFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost Apr 15-22
May 27
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 10
Moon May 27-Jun 10
Jul 18
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-26
N/AJun 20
OreganoFrost Mar 3-Apr 1
Moon Mar 3-14, Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
N/AJul 18
ParsleyFrost Mar 3-18
Moon Mar 3-14
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
Frost Apr 15-May 20
Moon Apr 27-May 12
Jul 11
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-22
Moon Apr 15-22
Jun 20
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Jun 3-17
Moon Jun 12-17
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-22
May 27
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-26
Jul 18
PumpkinsFrost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 27-May 6
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jun 13
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-22
Moon Apr 15-22
Aug 1
RosemaryFrost Feb 17-Mar 3
Moon Feb 27-Mar 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
N/AAug 1
SageFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
N/AJul 11
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-26
Jun 20
SpinachFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost Apr 15-22
May 27
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 27-Jun 10
Moon May 27-Jun 10
Jul 11
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 27-Jun 10
Jun 13
Swiss ChardFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 12
Frost Apr 22-May 13
Moon Apr 27-May 12
May 27
ThymeFrost Mar 3-18
Moon Mar 3-14
Frost May 20-27
Moon May 26-27
N/AJul 4
TomatillosFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-12
Frost May 27-Jun 10
Moon May 27-Jun 10
N/AJul 11
TomatoesFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 29-Apr 1
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
N/AJun 27
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 15-22
Moon Apr 15-22
Aug 29
WatermelonsFrost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 27-May 6
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Frost May 20-27
Moon May 26-27
Jun 27
Winter SquashFrost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jun 6
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 27-29
Frost May 20-Jun 3
Moon May 26-Jun 3
Frost May 27-Jun 3
Moon May 27-Jun 3
Jul 25

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 26 (at OTTAWA CDA, ON climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 8-Sep 12
Moon Aug 8-9, Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 4-Aug 1
Moon Jul 11-23
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 18-Aug 8
Moon Jul 24-Aug 8
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 27-Jul 4
Moon Jun 27-Jul 4
Frost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 24-Aug 1
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 6-20
Moon Jun 6-11
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 27-Jul 4
Moon Jun 27-Jul 4
Frost Jul 18-25
Moon Jul 24-25
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 11-18
Moon Jul 11-18
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 20-27
Moon Jun 25-27
Frost Jul 4-11
Moon Jul 4-10
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 4-Aug 1
Moon Jul 4-10, Jul 24-Aug 1
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 27-Jul 11
Moon Jun 27-Jul 10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 10-24
Moon Oct 10-20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 11-25
Moon Jul 24-25
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 24-Aug 1
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 25-Aug 15
Moon Jul 25-Aug 9
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 24-Aug 1
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 25-Aug 15
Moon Jul 25-Aug 9
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 24-Aug 1
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 15-29
Moon Aug 15-22
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 8-29
Moon Aug 8-9, Aug 23-29
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 18-Aug 1
Moon Jul 24-Aug 1
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 25-Aug 8
N/A50Frost-tolerant
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