Planting dates for Hamilton
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Hamilton Airport, the official station 11 km from Hamilton, Ontario.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Hamilton (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | March 18 | May 6 |
| Pepper | March 4 | May 13 |
| Peas | – | March 25 |
| Lettuce | March 4 | April 1 |
| Carrot | – | April 8 |
| Bush beans | – | May 6 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | April 15 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Hamilton planting questions
When is the last frost in Hamilton?
Around April 29, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Hamilton Airport, the official station 11 km from Hamilton. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Hamilton?
Start seeds indoors around March 18 and transplant around May 6, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Hamilton.
How long is the growing season in Hamilton?
About 167 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 29 to October 14. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals at Hamilton Airport: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Hamilton: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.