Ontario, Canada

Planting calendar for Ottawa

Last frost around April 27, first frost around October 28: about 184 frost-free days.

Last frost: April 27
First frost: October 28
Frost-free days: 184

Sow now: November

See the whole year

Outdoors

Raspberry

Under cover

Garlic
Rhubarb

The year at a glance

When each crop can be sown in Ottawa. 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 Ottawa, 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: Not this month	May: Sow 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
Chile pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow 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
Bell pepper	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow 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
Eggplant	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow 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
Zucchini	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow outdoors and under cover	September: Not this month	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: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow 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: Not this month	May: Sow 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
Sweet corn	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	April: Not this month	May: Sow 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: Not this month	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 under cover	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: Not this month	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 under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Parsnip	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 under cover	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: 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
Potato	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Plant under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant outdoors and under cover	July: Plant under cover	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: 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
Leaves
Lettuce	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
Spinach	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
Swiss chard	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	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: 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
Celery	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 under cover	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: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	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: Not this month	May: Sow under cover	June: Sow outdoors and under cover	July: Sow outdoors and under cover	August: Sow under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Fava bean	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Sow 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
Pea	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 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: Not this month	March: Plant under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant 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
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 under cover	December: Not this month
Leek	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 under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Scallion	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
Shallot	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Plant under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant outdoors and under cover	July: Plant under cover	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: 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
Broccoli	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	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 under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Cauliflower	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 under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Brussels sprout	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 under cover	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: Not this month	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 under cover	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Bok choy	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 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
Herbs
Basil	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 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: 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
Cilantro	January: Not this month	February: Not this month	March: Not this month	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
Chives	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 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: Not this month	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: Not this month	March: Plant under cover	April: Plant outdoors and under cover	May: Plant outdoors and under cover	June: Plant outdoors and under cover	July: Plant under cover	August: Not this month	September: Not this month	October: Not this month	November: Not this month	December: Not this month
Raspberry	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: Not this month
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 under cover	December: Not this month

Fruit rows show when to plant, not sow.

Crop by crop

Fruiting

TomatoOutdoors Jun 1 to Jun 26; Under cover May 4 to Jul 24

Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 26
Under cover: May 4 to Jul 24
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on June 1, ready around August 6.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Tomato across Canada, town by town

Chile pepperOutdoors May 31 to Jun 26; Under cover May 3 to Jul 24

Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 26
Under cover: May 3 to Jul 24
First harvest: About 84 days after sowing. Sown on May 31, ready around August 23.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Chile pepper across Canada, town by town

Bell pepperOutdoors Jun 5 to Jul 1; Under cover May 8 to Jul 29

Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jul 1
Under cover: May 8 to Jul 29
First harvest: About 78 days after sowing. Sown on June 5, ready around August 22.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Bell pepper across Canada, town by town

EggplantOutdoors Jun 5 to Jun 26; Under cover May 8 to Jul 24

Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Under cover: May 8 to Jul 24
First harvest: About 90 days after sowing. Sown on June 5, ready around September 3.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Eggplant across Canada, town by town

ZucchiniOutdoors May 31 to Aug 9; Under cover May 3 to Sep 6

Sow outdoors: May 31 to Aug 9
Under cover: May 3 to Sep 6
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on May 31, ready around July 12.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Zucchini across Canada, town by town

CucumberOutdoors May 31 to Aug 3; Under cover May 3 to Aug 31

Sow outdoors: May 31 to Aug 3
Under cover: May 3 to Aug 31
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on May 31, ready around July 16.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Cucumber across Canada, town by town

Winter squashOutdoors May 31 to Jul 1; Under cover May 3 to Jul 29

Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jul 1
Under cover: May 3 to Jul 29
First harvest: About 66 days after sowing. Sown on May 31, ready around August 5.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 12°C or more, and no frost.

Winter squash across Canada, town by town

Sweet cornOutdoors May 26 to Jul 1; Under cover Apr 28 to Jul 29

Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jul 1
Under cover: Apr 28 to Jul 29
First harvest: About 60 days after sowing. Sown on May 26, ready around July 25.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Sweet corn across Canada, town by town

Roots

CarrotOutdoors Apr 23 to Aug 1; Under cover Mar 26 to Aug 29

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Aug 1
Under cover: Mar 26 to Aug 29
First harvest: About 70 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around July 2.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Carrot across Canada, town by town

BeetOutdoors Apr 23 to Aug 6; Under cover Mar 26 to Sep 3

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Aug 6
Under cover: Mar 26 to Sep 3
First harvest: About 49 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around June 11.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Beet across Canada, town by town

ParsnipOutdoors Apr 19 to Jul 5; Under cover Mar 22 to Aug 2

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Jul 5
Under cover: Mar 22 to Aug 2
First harvest: About 87 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around July 15.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsnip across Canada, town by town

RadishOutdoors Apr 19 to Sep 16; Under cover Mar 22 to Oct 14

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Sep 16
Under cover: Mar 22 to Oct 14
First harvest: About 18 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around May 7.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Radish across Canada, town by town

PotatoOutdoors Apr 19 to Jun 14; Under cover Mar 22 to Jul 12

Plant outdoors: Apr 19 to Jun 14
Under cover: Mar 22 to Jul 12
First harvest: About 65 days after planting. Planted on April 19, ready around June 23.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Potato across Canada, town by town

TurnipOutdoors Apr 19 to Aug 19; Under cover Mar 22 to Sep 16

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Aug 19
Under cover: Mar 22 to Sep 16
First harvest: About 38 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around May 27.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Turnip across Canada, town by town

Leaves

LettuceOutdoors Apr 20 to Aug 14; Under cover Mar 23 to Sep 11

Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to Aug 14
Under cover: Mar 23 to Sep 11
First harvest: About 46 days after sowing. Sown on April 20, ready around June 5.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Lettuce across Canada, town by town

SpinachOutdoors Apr 19 to Sep 11; Under cover Mar 22 to Oct 9

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Sep 11
Under cover: Mar 22 to Oct 9
First harvest: About 28 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around May 17.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Spinach across Canada, town by town

Swiss chardOutdoors Apr 23 to Aug 19; Under cover Mar 26 to Sep 16

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Aug 19
Under cover: Mar 26 to Sep 16
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around June 4.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Swiss chard across Canada, town by town

ArugulaOutdoors Apr 19 to Sep 12; Under cover Mar 22 to Oct 10

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Sep 12
Under cover: Mar 22 to Oct 10
First harvest: About 25 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around May 14.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Arugula across Canada, town by town

CeleryOutdoors Apr 16 to Jun 15; Under cover Mar 19 to Jul 13

Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Jun 15
Under cover: Mar 19 to Jul 13
First harvest: About 80 days after sowing. Sown on April 16, ready around July 5.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Celery across Canada, town by town

Beans and peas

Runner beanOutdoors May 26 to Jul 26; Under cover Apr 28 to Aug 23

Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jul 26
Under cover: Apr 28 to Aug 23
First harvest: About 58 days after sowing. Sown on May 26, ready around July 23.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Runner bean across Canada, town by town

Green beanOutdoors May 26 to Aug 6; Under cover Apr 28 to Sep 3

Sow outdoors: May 26 to Aug 6
Under cover: Apr 28 to Sep 3
First harvest: About 50 days after sowing. Sown on May 26, ready around July 15.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 11°C or more, and no frost.

Green bean across Canada, town by town

Fava beanOutdoors Apr 14 to Apr 27; Under cover Mar 17 to Mar 30, and Apr 14 to Apr 27, and May 12 to May 25

Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 27
Under cover: Mar 17 to Mar 30, and Apr 14 to Apr 27, and May 12 to May 25
First harvest: About 220 days after sowing. Sown on April 14, ready around November 20.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Fava bean across Canada, town by town

PeaOutdoors Apr 19 to Jul 28; Under cover Mar 22 to Aug 25

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Jul 28
Under cover: Mar 22 to Aug 25
First harvest: About 51 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around June 9.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Pea across Canada, town by town

Onion family

OnionOutdoors Apr 17 to Jun 7; Under cover Mar 20 to Jul 5

Plant outdoors: Apr 17 to Jun 7
Under cover: Mar 20 to Jul 5
First harvest: About 90 days after planting. Planted on April 17, ready around July 16.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Onion across Canada, town by town

GarlicOutdoors Oct 6 to Nov 1; Under cover Sep 8 to Nov 29

Plant outdoors: Oct 6 to Nov 1
Under cover: Sep 8 to Nov 29
First harvest: About 250 days after planting. Planted on October 6, ready around June 13.
Warmth: Hardy: goes in as the weather cools, and grows on through winter.

Garlic across Canada, town by town

LeekOutdoors Apr 19 to Aug 4; Under cover Mar 22 to Sep 1

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Aug 4
Under cover: Mar 22 to Sep 1
First harvest: About 101 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around July 29.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Leek across Canada, town by town

ScallionOutdoors Apr 16 to Aug 29; Under cover Mar 19 to Sep 26

Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Aug 29
Under cover: Mar 19 to Sep 26
First harvest: About 42 days after sowing. Sown on April 16, ready around May 28.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Scallion across Canada, town by town

ShallotOutdoors Apr 14 to Jun 27; Under cover Mar 17 to Jul 25

Plant outdoors: Apr 14 to Jun 27
Under cover: Mar 17 to Jul 25
First harvest: About 78 days after planting. Planted on April 14, ready around July 1.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 5°C.

Shallot across Canada, town by town

Brassicas

CabbageOutdoors Apr 19 to Aug 17; Under cover Mar 22 to Sep 14

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Aug 17
Under cover: Mar 22 to Sep 14
First harvest: About 72 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around June 30.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Cabbage across Canada, town by town

BroccoliOutdoors Apr 23 to Jul 22; Under cover Mar 26 to Aug 19

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Jul 22
Under cover: Mar 26 to Aug 19
First harvest: About 63 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around June 25.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Broccoli across Canada, town by town

CauliflowerOutdoors Apr 19 to Jul 20; Under cover Mar 22 to Aug 17

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Jul 20
Under cover: Mar 22 to Aug 17
First harvest: About 79 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around July 7.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cauliflower across Canada, town by town

Brussels sproutOutdoors Apr 19 to Jun 19; Under cover Mar 22 to Jul 17

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Jun 19
Under cover: Mar 22 to Jul 17
First harvest: About 121 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around August 18.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Brussels sprout across Canada, town by town

KaleOutdoors Apr 23 to Aug 6; Under cover Mar 26 to Sep 3

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Aug 6
Under cover: Mar 26 to Sep 3
First harvest: About 56 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around June 18.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C.

Kale across Canada, town by town

Bok choyOutdoors Apr 27 to Sep 2; Under cover Mar 30 to Sep 30

Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Sep 2
Under cover: Mar 30 to Sep 30
First harvest: About 34 days after sowing. Sown on April 27, ready around May 31.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 8°C; bolts in hot weather.

Bok choy across Canada, town by town

Herbs

BasilOutdoors Apr 27 to Aug 10; Under cover Mar 30 to Sep 7

Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Aug 10
Under cover: Mar 30 to Sep 7
First harvest: About 36 days after sowing. Sown on April 27, ready around June 2.
Warmth: Tender: needs days averaging 8°C or more, and no frost.

Basil across Canada, town by town

ParsleyOutdoors Apr 19 to Aug 17; Under cover Mar 22 to Sep 14

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Aug 17
Under cover: Mar 22 to Sep 14
First harvest: About 48 days after sowing. Sown on April 19, ready around June 6.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Parsley across Canada, town by town

CilantroOutdoors Apr 23 to Aug 31; Under cover Mar 26 to Sep 28

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Aug 31
Under cover: Mar 26 to Sep 28
First harvest: About 35 days after sowing. Sown on April 23, ready around May 28.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 7°C; bolts in hot weather.

Cilantro across Canada, town by town

ChivesOutdoors Apr 19 to Jul 5, and Jul 24 to Jul 31; Under cover Mar 22 to Aug 2, and Aug 21 to Aug 28

Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to Jul 5, and Jul 24 to Jul 31
Under cover: Mar 22 to Aug 2, and Aug 21 to Aug 28
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Chives across Canada, town by town

MintOutdoors Apr 23 to Sep 20; Under cover Mar 26 to Oct 18

Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to Sep 20
Under cover: Mar 26 to Oct 18
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 Apr 19 to Jun 19; Under cover Mar 22 to Jul 17

Plant outdoors: Apr 19 to Jun 19
Under cover: Mar 22 to Jul 17
First harvest: Crops every year once it’s established.
Warmth: Hardy: grows once days average 6°C.

Strawberry across Canada, town by town

RaspberryOutdoors Oct 22 to Nov 7; Under cover Sep 24 to Oct 10, and Oct 22 to Nov 7, and Nov 19 to Dec 5

Plant outdoors: Oct 22 to Nov 7
Under cover: Sep 24 to Oct 10, and Oct 22 to Nov 7, and Nov 19 to Dec 5
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 13 to Nov 5; Under cover Sep 15 to Dec 3

Plant outdoors: Oct 13 to Nov 5
Under cover: Sep 15 to Dec 3
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

Nearby

Also covers

Gatineau, Nepean, Gloucester, Orléans, Ottawa South, Kanata, Aylmer, and nearby villages. Dates are within a few days across the area.

Questions about growing in Ottawa

When is the last frost in Ottawa?

On average around April 27, and the first autumn frost comes around October 28. 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 Ottawa?

Yes. Plant them outdoors Jun 1 to Jun 26, or under cover May 4 to Jul 24.

What can I sow in Ottawa in November?

Outdoors: raspberry. Under cover: garlic, 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 Ottawa. 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