Planting dates for Ottawa
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Ottawa Cda, the official station 3 km from Ottawa, Ontario.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Ottawa (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | March 19 | May 7 |
| Pepper | March 5 | May 14 |
| Peas | – | March 26 |
| Lettuce | March 5 | April 2 |
| Carrot | – | April 9 |
| Bush beans | – | May 7 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | April 16 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Ottawa planting questions
When is the last frost in Ottawa?
Around April 30, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Ottawa Cda, the official station 3 km from Ottawa. 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 Ottawa?
Start seeds indoors around March 19 and transplant around May 7, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Ottawa.
How long is the growing season in Ottawa?
About 158 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 30 to October 6. 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 Ottawa Cda: 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 Ottawa: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.