Canada Vegetable Planting Calendar: Month-wise Chart, Sowing Schedule, and Guide

As more and more Canadians discover the benefits of eating locally grown food, they are looking into methods to plant fruitful gardens in their yards, apartments, schools, and public spaces. We have compiled this planting guide and sowing chart to aid your gardening activities. In addition to meeting the basic need for food, urban gardens serve as venues for recreation, learning, physical activity, and social bonding.

You can grow food anywhere there is soil, sunlight, and water. Below we learn the Canadian vegetable planting calendar, month-wise vegetable planting guide for Canada, and different vegetables to grow in Canada.

Canada vegetable planting calendar

Vegetables to grow in winter in Canada

Plant arugula in August or September to enjoy its fresh flavor in your salads all winter. Despite their reputation for an earthy taste, Beets taste sweeter when grown in lower temperatures. It’s best to plant them in July so you can harvest the tastiest crop possible in the winter. In response to the warmer weather, Broccoli frequently leafs out prematurely. For a crop in the dead of winter, plant them in June or July.

Brussels sprouts are not for everyone, but those who love them adore them. You can have a good crop in the early winter if you plant them in July. Cauliflowers want to be grown in a cold, moist environment. If you start your seeds in June or July, you’ll get tender, white stalks in time for Valentine’s Day. Although slaws are more common in the summer, cabbage can be used to produce a wide variety of robust dishes that can be enjoyed all year round.

Put them in the ground in the summertime, namely June or July. Carrots, like beets, really become sweeter when they are exposed to the cold. For optimal results, sow them in the summer months of July and August. Kale in recent years, this leafy green superfood has gained much attention from health enthusiasts. Plant in July or August for the finest taste; it also becomes sweeter as the temperature drops.

It’s not necessary to stop eating salads just because summer is over. Sow Lettuce seeds for a steady yield throughout the winter between July and October. Scallions, these little onions are perfect for adding a hint of onion flavor without overpowering other ingredients due to their milder, sweeter flavor. Plant in the heat of summer, between July and August. The best way to consume your vegetables is with spinach! Include fresh spinach in your meals, from sauces to salads to smoothies. Spinach is a cool-season crop that can be sown from July through October.

In case you missed it: How to Grow Dianthus in Your Garden: A Guide to Propagation, Planting, and Care

Best vegetables to grow in Toronto

Start a garden with all of your favorite veggies. A brief reference on what can be successfully planted: Lettuce, arugula, bok choy, beets, kale, parsnips, spinach, radishes, garlic, peas, parsley, and rhubarb are examples of plants that can thrive in partial shade. In the spring, seedlings can be planted when the soil has warmed, and the threat of frost has gone. When planting, ensure the hole is bigger than the seedling container.

Carefully mist the hole with water, then place the sapling at its exact depth in the container. When planting a seed, pack the soil around the young plant and provide plenty of water. Protecting the health of young plants. If you want to protect your seedlings against damping-off, a disease that can strike at any moment, here are some things you can do. Utilize sterile potting soil; provide enough room for air circulation around the seedlings; and water only until the soil is damp, not drenched.

You should determine the soil type by taking a fistful of the dampened soil and rolling it into a tight ball. Clay content is likely high if you can roll it into a compact ball. High in the sand if it disintegrates and loses its form easily. Loam, the perfect soil for gardening, stays together in a loose ball before beginning to fall apart. Compacted, hard clay soil can be improved by adding compost to its surface. Add tonnes of compost if you have sandy soil since it doesn’t hold water or nutrients and dries up soon.

When should you plant your vegetable garden in Canada?

Unfortunately, the growing season in Canada is quite brief. Vegetables like peas, spinach, broccoli, and kale that thrive in the cooler months may be planted in April. Plant lettuce seeds at the beginning of May. In June, you can plant your warm-season vegetables. Although seeds are the most cost-effective option to plant, it is recommended that you purchase small sets of seedlings for tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli from a garden center.

Select dwarf or compact plant kinds if your garden space is limited. To avoid the hassle of tending vines, bush beans and peas are the way to go. Pick the fast-maturing variety of vegetables if you want to eat them sooner. The second planting of cool-season vegetables can be started in August. Invest in some row cover fabric after gardening for a while. By doing this, you can get an extra month out of the growing season in the spring and the autumn.

The last components are mulch and water. Mulching heavily has dual benefits: it keeps the soil wet, and over time, it adds organic material to the soil. While constant moisture is essential for seed germination, it can be reduced as plants mature. Remember to water deeply, so the soil is saturated and not only on the top.

The indicated planting dates above are just estimates. For better or worse, some things can be altered by an unexpected late frost or early summer. Indeed, it is a major part of the enjoyment of growing one’s vegetables. It’s fairly uncommon for one crop to have a dismal year while another enjoys exceptional success. Good soil, water, and a little luck will ensure you have summer’s worth of delicious fresh veggies, but you never know what to anticipate from a garden.

What vegetables do you plant in the fall in Canada?

Radish is first on the list. This vegetable performs as well as you’d expect when kept for an extended period. This highlights the need to ensure a reliable supply. You could be able to harvest twice as much in 30 days. The greatest results may be achieved by planting the radish seeds in between rows of another crop that is nearing its end of life. That other crop will be ready for harvest and removal, and the radish crop will already be well along.

Now, we’ll move on to the salad greens. Lettuce heads need around 60 days to develop and are sensitive to high temperatures. It’s best to start lettuce heads inside in early spring to avoid the heat. Lettuce, kale, and other salad greens are ideal for planting in July. This can include everything from arugula to the more visually striking purple lettuce. Heat won’t stop them from germinating and growing, either.

In case you missed it: How to Grow Green Chilli Peppers Faster: Best Tips to Increase Flowering, Fruiting, and Production Yield

If you don’t have a greenhouse, you can start your Asian greens inside in seed-starting cells and then move them outdoors after they’re a few weeks old. Don’t put these plants where the sun or heat will bake them. During heat waves, they tend to flee, so keep a close eye on them. As a result of their rapid maturation, you can delay August plantings until then.

Plants like spinach, kale, and swiss chard can withstand the first few touches of frost if exposed. These, too, can be begun in cells and transplanted or intercropped with garlic that is almost done growing. Crop the plant from the bottom up to guarantee an autumn harvest. You can keep harvesting until far into October if you set up a low tunnel or cold frame. Root veggies can be picked quickly, including turnips, beets, kohlrabi, and baby carrots.

Baby beets, carrots, and turnips are at their peak flavor and texture at this age. The crop’s harvestable part is now underground, where it may continue to thrive in the cold. Plants will get a jump start thanks to the warmer soil conditions in July. A fantastic approach to “thin” without killing seedlings is to start beets and turnips in cells and transfer them later. This will facilitate the development of substantial roots without necessitating repeated trips into the garden.

Next is everyone’s favorite, the potato. You should strive for the fewest amount of harvesting days feasible. This rules out the possibility of obtaining more unusual fingerling or purple potato varieties. Choose the tried-and-true russets or Yukon golds for rapid development. You will not receive giant potatoes, but you can have a good experience with small potatoes. As long as the potatoes remain buried, they will be safe from the first frost and can continue growing.

What month should you start a garden in Ontario?

In Ontario, the final day for predicted frost is often in the first or second week of May. You can start your pepper seeds inside in early March; just be sure to place them near a sunny window to get enough light and warmth while they germinate. Tomatoes like to be planted in late February or early March, but this depends on the type. If you see any sprouting, move them to a window immediately; otherwise, they won’t germinate.

Nasturtium seeds should be started indoors towards the end of March or early April so they are ready to be transplanted in early spring. Transplanting nasturtiums in sunny places with poor soil causes them to blossom more profusely; these sites are not suitable for growing vegetables but are ideal for growing nasturtiums, which are edible.

Can you grow vegetables year-round in Canada?

Root vegetables and herbs can be grown in Canada with harsh winters in a greenhouse or cold frame greenhouse. Many people passionate about gardening and growing plants as a pastime choose to grow vegetables throughout the year. Many individuals utilize these typical winter gardening methods to cultivate their vegetables all year long, whether as a professional endeavor or just to ensure that their family has access to nutritious food.

When should I start tomato seeds indoors in Canada?

When it comes to tomatoes, most of them desire to be started around the latter half of March or the middle of April but make sure you follow the timetable that their variety recommends. Starting them too early will leave you with a plant that is as lanky and pale. They won’t need light to germinate; after they show signs of growth, just move them to a bright window.

In case you missed it: Growing Sycamore Tree: A Guide to Propagation, Planting, and Care

Canada vegetable planting calendar/guide/chart/schedule

Indoor vegetable sowing calendar/chart/guide/schedule for Canada vegetables

Outdoor sowing calendar/chart/guide/schedule for Canada vegetables

Vegetables	Sow outdoors	Sow this deep	Spacing
Beet	Mid-May	2.5 cm	Seeds: 10 cm Rows: 35 cm
Carrot	Mid-May	1 cm	Seeds: 3 cm Rows: 15 cm
Corn	Mid-May	5 cm	Seeds: 15 cm Rows: 30 cm
Cucumber	Late May	20 cm	Seeds: 1 m Rows: 1 m
Garlic	Mid-October	3 cm	Cloves: 15 cm Rows: 25 cm
Kale	May	1 cm	Seeds: 45 cm Rows: 60 cm
Kohlrabi (German turnip)	Early May	5 mm	Seeds: 15 cm Rows: 30 cm
Lettuce	Early May	1 cm	Seeds: 20 cm Rows: 30 cm
Onion	Early June	Three times the height of the bulb	Bulbs: 10 cm Rows: 20 cm
Parsnip	Mid-May	1 cm	Seeds: 15 cm Rows: 30 cm
Peas	Mid-May	2 cm	Seeds: 3 cm Rows: 30 cm
Potato	Early May	15 cm	Seeds: 30 cm Rows: 50 cm
Pumpkin and squash	Early June	2-3 cm	Seeds: 90 cm Rows: 120 cm
Radish	Early May	2 cm	Seeds: 3 cm Rows: 20 cm
Shallot	Early May	2 cm	Seeds: 15 cm Rows: 20 cm
Spinach	Mid-May	3 cm	Seeds: 10 cm Rows: 25 cm
Swiss Chard	Early May	1 cm	Seeds: 20 cm Rows: 45 cm
Turnip	Early May	5 mm	Seeds: 5 cm Rows: 20 cm
Zucchini	Early June	2-3 cm	Seeds: 70 cm Rows: 120 cm

In case you missed it: How to Make Rose Plants Bushy and Flowers Bigger: Propagation, Fertilizers, Pruning, Planting, and Care

Conclusion

Plants that can thrive near one another and give advantages to each other are referred to as companion plants. When tomatoes are grown next to marigolds, for example, the marigolds act as an excellent pest control measure. Your garden will turn out better if there are more insects in it. One kind of beetle that feeds on pests like aphids is called a lady beetle.

Pollination cannot take place without the assistance of insects like bees and butterflies. To attract beneficial insects, you should cultivate a habitat garden with various native plants, shrubs, flowers that provide nectar, and trees. If you live in the following provinces, territories, and cities of Canada, this article may help you to set up a vegetable garden.

Alberta	British Colombia
Newfoundland and Labrador	Northwest Territories
Ontario	Prince Edward Island
Yukon	Toronto
Ottawa	Calgary
Victoria	St. John’s
Kingston	Regina
Windsor	Kelowna
Oshawa	St. Catharines
Mississauga	Kamloops
Lethbridge	Laval
Red Deer	Peterborough
Manitoba	New Brunswick
Nova Scotia	Nunavut
Quebec	Saskatchewan
Montreal	Vancouver
Winnipeg	Edmonton
Halifax	Hamilton
Saskatoon	Abbotsford
Kitchener	Barrie
Sherbrooke	Trois-Rivières
Surrey	Guelph
Vaughan	Brantford
Sault Ste. Marie	Prince George

Canada Vegetable Planting Calendar: Month-wise Chart, Sowing Schedule, and Guide

Table of Contents