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Ottawa, Ontario · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Ottawa

This month's sowing list for Ottawa, 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 9, and frost is unlikely after about May 18.

Sow or plant in Ottawa 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
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Parsley
  • Parsnip
  • Peas
  • Potato
  • 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 Ottawa

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 10 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to October.

Best time to start: September to October.

Pick: July to August.

First pick about 41 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to August.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to July.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: March to April.

Transplant: April to June.

Best time to start: April to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: May to June.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to December.

First pick about 15 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May.

Direct sow: May.

Transplant: May to June.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: September.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: May to July.

Direct sow: June to July.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 8 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Ottawa

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTSPabout 8 weeks
BeetsSSSSabout 6 weeks
Bell pepperTPabout 19 weeks
Bok choySSSSSabout 5 weeks
BroccoliTTPPPPabout 12 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPabout 19 weeks
Bush beansSSSabout 9 weeks
CabbageTTPPPPabout 13 weeks
CantaloupeTPabout 9 weeks
CarrotSSSSSabout 8 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTTPPPabout 22 weeks
CeleryTTPPPabout 20 weeks
ChivesTTSSSSabout 8 weeks
CilantroSSSSabout 5 weeks
CucumberTSSabout 8 weeks
DillSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTPabout 17 weeks
Fava beansSabout 11 weeks
GarlicPPabout 41 weeks
Hot pepperTPabout 20 weeks
KaleSSSSSabout 6 weeks
LeekTPPPPabout 18 weeks
LettuceSSSSSabout 6 weeks
OnionTPPPabout 20 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSSabout 8 weeks
ParsnipSSSabout 12 weeks
PeasSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Pole beansSSabout 10 weeks
PotatoPPPabout 10 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSabout 11 weeks
RutabagaSabout 10 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSabout 6 weeks
SpinachSSSabout 6 weeks
StrawberryPPabout 15 weeks
Sweet cornSSPabout 11 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSabout 6 weeks
TomatoTPPabout 19 weeks
TurnipSSSSSabout 6 weeks
WatermelonTPabout 8 weeks
Winter squashSPabout 16 weeks
ZucchiniPSSabout 8 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: cantaloupe, eggplant, fava beans and watermelon.

Ottawa season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, fava beans, hot pepper, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, fava beans, hot pepper and spinach.

Summer June to August

Time to start: bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, hot pepper, runner beans, rutabaga and spinach.

Last chance for: basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, runner beans, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: garlic.

Last chance for: arugula, garlic and radish.

Winter December to February

Time to start: nothing new.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Ottawa

Last frost, most years
around May 9
Frost is unlikely after
about May 18
First frost, most years
around October 9
Frost-free days in a year
about 153

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 Ottawa

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: okra and sweet potato.

Questions about planting in Ottawa

What can I plant now in Ottawa?

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

When should I plant tomatoes in Ottawa?

In Ottawa, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them from May to June. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant potatoes in Ottawa?

In Ottawa, plant potatoes from May to July. The best time to start is from May to July. Picking runs from July to October.

When should I plant garlic in Ottawa?

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

When is the last frost in Ottawa?

In most years the last frost in Ottawa comes around May 9. Frost is unlikely after about May 18, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 9.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Ottawa?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), lettuce (about 6 weeks), scallions (about 6 weeks) and spinach (about 6 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 Calgary · What to plant now in Montreal

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Ottawa. 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).

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