The Home Almanac

Planting dates for Vancouver

Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Vancouver Intl Airport, the official station 8 km from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Last spring frostMarch 18
First fall frostNovember 10
Frost-free season237 days

Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.

Key windows for Vancouver (2026)

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sow
Tomato February 4 March 25
Pepper January 21 April 1
Peas February 11
Lettuce January 21 February 18
Carrot February 25
Bush beans March 25
Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) Fall planted
Potato March 4

Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.

Vancouver planting questions

When is the last frost in Vancouver?

Around March 18, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Vancouver Intl Airport, the official station 8 km from Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?

Start seeds indoors around February 4 and transplant around March 25, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Vancouver.

How long is the growing season in Vancouver?

About 237 frost-free days on average, from roughly March 18 to November 10. 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 Vancouver Intl 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 Vancouver: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.