British Columbia, Canada

Planting calendar for Nanaimo

Last frost around March 31, first frost around November 19: about 233 frost-free days.

Last frost: March 31
First frost: November 19
Frost-free days: 233

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Fava bean
Garlic
Raspberry
Rhubarb

Under cover

Nothing this month.

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Nanaimo. Tap a crop for exact dates and when it’s ready to harvest.

Sow outdoorsSow under cover (indoors, a greenhouse or a cold frame)

When to sow each crop in Nanaimo, month by month. Each month says whether you can sow outdoors, under cover, or both.
Crop	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Fruiting
Tomato	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chile pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Bell pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Eggplant	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Zucchini	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cucumber	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Winter squash	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Sweet corn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Roots
Carrot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beet	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Radish	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Potato	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Turnip	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Leaves
Lettuce	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Spinach	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Swiss chard	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Arugula	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Celery	January: Sow under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Beans and peas
Runner bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Green bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Sow under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fava bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Sow under cover	October: Sow outdoors and under cover	November: Sow outdoors and under cover	December: Sow under cover
Pea	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Onion family
Onion	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Garlic	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant under cover
Leek	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Scallion	January: Sow under cover	February: Sow outdoors and under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Shallot	January: Plant under cover	February: Plant outdoors and under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brassicas
Cabbage	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Broccoli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cauliflower	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brussels sprout	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Kale	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Bok choy	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Herbs
Basil	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsley	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow under cover	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cilantro	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Chives	January: Not this month	February: Sow under cover	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow under cover	July: Sow under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Mint	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow outdoors and under cover	April: Sow outdoors and under cover	May: Sow outdoors and under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Sow outdoors and under cover	October: Sow under cover	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fruit
Strawberry	January: Not this month	February: Plant under cover	March: Plant outdoors and under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Raspberry	January: Plant under cover	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Plant under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover
Rhubarb	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Not this month	June: Not this month	July: Not this month	August: Not this month	September: Plant under cover	October: Plant outdoors and under cover	November: Plant outdoors and under cover	December: Plant outdoors and under cover

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors May 9 to Jun 3; Under cover Apr 11 to Jul 1

Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 3
Under cover: Apr 11 to Jul 1
First harvest: About 82 days after sowing. Sown on May 9, ready around July 30.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across Canada, town by town

Chile pepperOutdoors May 8 to Jun 3; Under cover Apr 10 to Jul 1

Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 3
Under cover: Apr 10 to Jul 1
First harvest: About 91 days after sowing. Sown on May 8, ready around August 7.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chile pepper across Canada, town by town

Bell pepperOutdoors May 12 to Jun 7; Under cover Apr 14 to Jul 5

Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 7
Under cover: Apr 14 to Jul 5
First harvest: About 86 days after sowing. Sown on May 12, ready around August 6.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Bell pepper across Canada, town by town

EggplantOutdoors May 12 to Jun 2; Under cover Apr 14 to Jun 30

Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2
Under cover: Apr 14 to Jun 30
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on May 12, ready around August 10.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Eggplant across Canada, town by town

ZucchiniOutdoors May 8 to Jun 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 15; Under cover Apr 10 to Jul 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 15, and Aug 29 to Sep 12

Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 15
Under cover: Apr 10 to Jul 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 15, and Aug 29 to Sep 12
First harvest: About 52 days after sowing. Sown on May 8, ready around June 29.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Zucchini across Canada, town by town

CucumberOutdoors May 8 to Jun 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 9; Under cover Apr 10 to Jul 16, and Aug 1 to Aug 9, and Aug 29 to Sep 6

Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 18, and Aug 1 to Aug 9
Under cover: Apr 10 to Jul 16, and Aug 1 to Aug 9, and Aug 29 to Sep 6
First harvest: About 59 days after sowing. Sown on May 8, ready around July 6.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across Canada, town by town

Winter squashOutdoors May 8 to Jun 8; Under cover Apr 10 to Jul 6

Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 8
Under cover: Apr 10 to Jul 6
First harvest: About 82 days after sowing. Sown on May 8, ready around July 29.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Winter squash across Canada, town by town

Sweet cornOutdoors May 4 to Jun 9; Under cover Apr 6 to Jul 7

Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 9
Under cover: Apr 6 to Jul 7
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on May 4, ready around July 21.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet corn across Canada, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors Mar 25 to Jul 3; Under cover Feb 25 to Jul 31

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Jul 3
Under cover: Feb 25 to Jul 31
First harvest: About 93 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around June 26.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across Canada, town by town

BeetOutdoors Mar 25 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 16; Under cover Feb 25 to Aug 16, and Aug 29 to Sep 13

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 16
Under cover: Feb 25 to Aug 16, and Aug 29 to Sep 13
First harvest: About 67 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around May 31.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beet across Canada, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors Mar 8 to May 24; Under cover Feb 8 to Jun 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to May 24
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jun 21
First harvest: About 121 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around July 7.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across Canada, town by town

RadishOutdoors Mar 8 to Sep 25; Under cover Feb 8 to Oct 23

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Sep 25
Under cover: Feb 8 to Oct 23
First harvest: About 29 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around April 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across Canada, town by town

PotatoOutdoors Mar 8 to May 3; Under cover Feb 8 to May 31

Plant outdoors: Mar 8 to May 3
Under cover: Feb 8 to May 31
First harvest: About 96 days after planting. Planted on March 8, ready around June 12.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across Canada, town by town

TurnipOutdoors Mar 8 to Aug 29; Under cover Feb 8 to Sep 26

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Aug 29
Under cover: Feb 8 to Sep 26
First harvest: About 61 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around May 8.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across Canada, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors Mar 13 to Aug 24; Under cover Feb 13 to Sep 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Aug 24
Under cover: Feb 13 to Sep 21
First harvest: About 69 days after sowing. Sown on March 13, ready around May 21.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across Canada, town by town

SpinachOutdoors Mar 8 to Sep 22; Under cover Feb 8 to Oct 20

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Sep 22
Under cover: Feb 8 to Oct 20
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around April 23.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across Canada, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors Mar 25 to Aug 29; Under cover Feb 25 to Sep 26

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Aug 29
Under cover: Feb 25 to Sep 26
First harvest: About 58 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around May 22.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across Canada, town by town

ArugulaOutdoors Mar 8 to Sep 23; Under cover Feb 8 to Oct 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Sep 23
Under cover: Feb 8 to Oct 21
First harvest: About 41 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around April 18.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Arugula across Canada, town by town

CeleryOutdoors Feb 21 to Apr 22; Under cover Jan 24 to May 20

Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 22
Under cover: Jan 24 to May 20
First harvest: About 124 days after sowing. Sown on February 21, ready around June 25.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across Canada, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors May 4 to Jun 19; Under cover Apr 6 to Jul 17

Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 19
Under cover: Apr 6 to Jul 17
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on May 4, ready around July 15.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across Canada, town by town

Green beanOutdoors May 4 to Jul 4, and Aug 1 to Aug 12; Under cover Apr 6 to Aug 12, and Aug 29 to Sep 9

Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jul 4, and Aug 1 to Aug 12
Under cover: Apr 6 to Aug 12, and Aug 29 to Sep 9
First harvest: About 59 days after sowing. Sown on May 4, ready around July 2.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Green bean across Canada, town by town

Fava beanOutdoors Oct 13 to Nov 18; Under cover Sep 15 to Dec 16

Sow outdoors: Oct 13 to Nov 18
Under cover: Sep 15 to Dec 16
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on October 13, ready around May 21.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Fava bean across Canada, town by town

PeaOutdoors Mar 8 to Jun 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 7; Under cover Feb 8 to Jul 10, and Aug 1 to Aug 7, and Aug 29 to Sep 4

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Jun 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 7
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jul 10, and Aug 1 to Aug 7, and Aug 29 to Sep 4
First harvest: About 79 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around May 26.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across Canada, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors Mar 2 to Apr 22; Under cover Feb 2 to May 20

Plant outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 22
Under cover: Feb 2 to May 20
First harvest: About 130 days after planting. Planted on March 2, ready around July 10.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across Canada, town by town

GarlicOutdoors Oct 13 to Nov 26; Under cover Sep 15 to Dec 24

Plant outdoors: Oct 13 to Nov 26
Under cover: Sep 15 to Dec 24
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on October 13, ready around June 20.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across Canada, town by town

LeekOutdoors Mar 8 to Jun 23; Under cover Feb 8 to Jul 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Jun 23
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jul 21
First harvest: About 136 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around July 22.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across Canada, town by town

ScallionOutdoors Feb 21 to Sep 8; Under cover Jan 24 to Oct 6

Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Sep 8
Under cover: Jan 24 to Oct 6
First harvest: About 71 days after sowing. Sown on February 21, ready around May 3.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Scallion across Canada, town by town

ShallotOutdoors Feb 7 to Apr 22; Under cover Jan 10 to May 20

Plant outdoors: Feb 7 to Apr 22
Under cover: Jan 10 to May 20
First harvest: About 126 days after planting. Planted on February 7, ready around June 13.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across Canada, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors Mar 8 to Jul 8; Under cover Feb 8 to Aug 5

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Jul 8
Under cover: Feb 8 to Aug 5
First harvest: About 105 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around June 21.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across Canada, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors Mar 25 to Jun 23; Under cover Feb 25 to Jul 21

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Jun 23
Under cover: Feb 25 to Jul 21
First harvest: About 85 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around June 18.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across Canada, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors Mar 8 to Jun 8; Under cover Feb 8 to Jul 6

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Jun 8
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jul 6
First harvest: About 113 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around June 29.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across Canada, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors Mar 8 to May 8; Under cover Feb 8 to Jun 5

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to May 8
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jun 5
First harvest: About 157 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around August 12.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across Canada, town by town

KaleOutdoors Mar 25 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 10; Under cover Feb 25 to Aug 10, and Aug 29 to Sep 7

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 10
Under cover: Feb 25 to Aug 10, and Aug 29 to Sep 7
First harvest: About 76 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around June 9.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across Canada, town by town

Bok choyOutdoors Apr 8 to Sep 11; Under cover Mar 11 to Oct 9

Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Sep 11
Under cover: Mar 11 to Oct 9
First harvest: About 43 days after sowing. Sown on April 8, ready around May 21.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Bok choy across Canada, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors Apr 8 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 16; Under cover Mar 11 to Aug 16, and Aug 29 to Sep 13

Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Jul 8, and Aug 1 to Aug 16
Under cover: Mar 11 to Aug 16, and Aug 29 to Sep 13
First harvest: About 54 days after sowing. Sown on April 8, ready around June 1.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across Canada, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors Mar 8 to Aug 27; Under cover Feb 8 to Sep 24

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Aug 27
Under cover: Feb 8 to Sep 24
First harvest: About 74 days after sowing. Sown on March 8, ready around May 21.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across Canada, town by town

CilantroOutdoors Mar 25 to Sep 10; Under cover Feb 25 to Oct 8

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Sep 10
Under cover: Feb 25 to Oct 8
First harvest: About 49 days after sowing. Sown on March 25, ready around May 13.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cilantro across Canada, town by town

ChivesOutdoors Mar 8 to May 24, and Aug 1 to Aug 9; Under cover Feb 8 to Jun 21, and Jul 4 to Jul 12, and Aug 1 to Aug 9, and Aug 29 to Sep 6

Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to May 24, and Aug 1 to Aug 9
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jun 21, and Jul 4 to Jul 12, and Aug 1 to Aug 9, and Aug 29 to Sep 6
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Chives across Canada, town by town

MintOutdoors Mar 25 to Oct 3; Under cover Feb 25 to Oct 31

Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Oct 3
Under cover: Feb 25 to Oct 31
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Mint across Canada, town by town

Fruit

StrawberryOutdoors Mar 8 to May 8; Under cover Feb 8 to Jun 5

Plant outdoors: Mar 8 to May 8
Under cover: Feb 8 to Jun 5
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Strawberry across Canada, town by town

RaspberryOutdoors Nov 4 to Dec 20; Under cover Oct 7 to Jan 17

Plant outdoors: Nov 4 to Dec 20
Under cover: Oct 7 to Jan 17
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Raspberry across Canada, town by town

RhubarbOutdoors Oct 22 to Dec 8; Under cover Sep 24 to Jan 5

Plant outdoors: Oct 22 to Dec 8
Under cover: Sep 24 to Jan 5
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Rhubarb across Canada, town by town

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Questions about growing in Nanaimo

When is the last frost in Nanaimo?

On average around March 31, and the first autumn frost comes around November 19. In a cold spring a frost can come a week or two late, so tender plants are safest out a week after the date.

Can I grow tomatoes outdoors in Nanaimo?

Yes. Plant them outdoors May 9 to Jun 3, or under cover Apr 11 to Jul 1.

What can I sow in Nanaimo in November?

Outdoors: fava bean, garlic, raspberry, rhubarb.

How accurate are these dates?

They’re worked out from 30 years of climate data for this spot, adjusted for its height, so they’re a good guide for a typical year. Check the forecast before planting out anything tender.

Get these dates as reminders

Bia turns this calendar into a nudge when it’s time to sow, plant out and harvest, for your backyard or community garden plot in Nanaimo. Free for 2 months.

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How these dates are worked out: climate records for this spot (ERA5-Land, 1995 to 2024), the local frost dates and the height above sea level turn a seed-packet date into a local one. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; towns from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). How sowing dates work