Calgary, Alberta · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Calgary

This month's sowing list for Calgary, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

1 vegetable to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around May 22, and frost is unlikely after about May 26.

Sow or plant in Calgary in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

Nothing this month.

Transplant

Garlic

Last month to start: garlic.

Ready to pick in October

Arugula
Beets
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chives
Cilantro
Dill
Fava beans
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Parsley
Parsnip
Peas
Radish
Rutabaga
Scallions
Spinach
Strawberry
Swiss chard
Turnip

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Calgary

Tomatoes

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot in Calgary.

Potatoes

Plant: May to June.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 12 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Plant: September to October.

Best time to start: September to October.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 44 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrots

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Direct sow: June.

Pick: August.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Onions

Start seeds indoors: March to April.

Transplant: May to June.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 23 weeks after starting.

Strawberries

Plant: May to June.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: September to November.

First pick about 15 weeks after starting.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety here.

Winter squash

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot in Calgary.

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: June.

Transplant: June.

Pick: August.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Calgary

Start seeds indoors
Direct sow
Transplant
Pick
Paler: possible, but not the best time

Vegetable	O	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	First pick
Arugula				S	S	S	S		about 5 weeks
Beets				S	S	S			about 7 weeks
Bok choy				S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Broccoli			T	P	P	P			about 13 weeks
Brussels sprouts			T		P				about 21 weeks
Bush beans					S				about 10 weeks
Cabbage			T	P	P	P			about 15 weeks
Carrot				S	S	S			about 9 weeks
Cauliflower			T	P	P	P			about 15 weeks
Celeriac		T	T	P	P				about 25 weeks
Celery		T	T	P	P				about 22 weeks
Chives			T	S	S	S	P		about 10 weeks
Cilantro				S	S	S	S		about 5 weeks
Dill				S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Fava beans			S	S	S				about 11 weeks
Garlic	P							P	about 44 weeks
Kale			T	S	S	S	P		about 7 weeks
Leek		T	T	P	P				about 20 weeks
Lettuce				S	S	S			about 7 weeks
Onion		T	T	P	P				about 23 weeks
Parsley			T	S	S	S	P		about 9 weeks
Parsnip				S	S				about 15 weeks
Peas			S	S	S	S			about 9 weeks
Pole beans					S				about 10 weeks
Potato				P	P				about 12 weeks
Radish			S	S	S	S	S		about 4 weeks
Rutabaga				S	S				about 12 weeks
Scallions				S	S	S			about 7 weeks
Spinach			S	S	S	S	S		about 6 weeks
Strawberry				P	P				about 15 weeks
Swiss chard				S	S	S			about 7 weeks
Turnip				S	S	S	S		about 7 weeks
Zucchini					P				about 9 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: pole beans and strawberry.

Calgary season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, dill, fava beans, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, potato, radish, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard and turnip.

Last chance for: Brussels sprouts.

Summer June to August

Time to start: Brussels sprouts, bush beans, pole beans and zucchini.

Last chance for: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, dill, fava beans, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard, turnip and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: garlic.

Last chance for: garlic.

Winter December to February

Time to start: nothing new.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Calgary

Last frost, most years: around May 22
Frost is unlikely after: about May 26
First frost, most years: around September 16
Frost-free days in a year: about 117

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Calgary

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: basil, bell pepper, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, runner beans, sweet corn, tomato and winter squash.

Too cold here: cantaloupe, okra, sweet potato and watermelon.

Questions about planting in Calgary

What can I plant now in Calgary?

In October, 1 vegetables can be sown or planted in Calgary, including garlic. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Calgary?

Tomatoes are hard to grow in Calgary: they need a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot.

When should I plant potatoes in Calgary?

In Calgary, plant potatoes from May to June. The best time to start is from May to June. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant garlic in Calgary?

In Calgary, plant garlic from September to October. The best time to start is from September to October. Picking runs from July to September.

When is the last frost in Calgary?

In most years the last frost in Calgary comes around May 22. Frost is unlikely after about May 26, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around September 16.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Calgary?

The quick ones are radish (about 4 weeks), arugula (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), bok choy (about 6 weeks), spinach (about 6 weeks), beets (about 7 weeks), lettuce (about 7 weeks) and scallions (about 7 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in Toronto · What to plant now in Vancouver · What to plant now in Ottawa · What to plant now in Montreal

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Calgary. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).