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Vancouver, British Columbia · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Vancouver

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

October

5 vegetables to sow or plant now

5 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 14, and frost is unlikely after about April 19.

Sow or plant in Vancouver in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

  • Fava beans
  • Peas

Transplant

  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Onion

Last month to start: cabbage.

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
  • 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 Vancouver

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April.

Transplant: May.

Pick: September.

First pick about 21 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: March to July.

Best time to start: March to July.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 12 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 34 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: March to August.

Best time to start: March to August.

Pick: June to December.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: March to August.

Best time to start: March to July.

Pick: July to February.

First pick about 9 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 10 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to September.

Transplant: March to November.

Best time to start: March to November.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 45 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: September to December.

First pick about 18 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May.

Transplant: 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 9 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Vancouver

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
BasilTPabout 5 weeks
BeetsSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
BroccoliTPPPPPabout 13 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPPabout 21 weeks
Bush beansSSSabout 10 weeks
CabbagePTPPPPPPabout 17 weeks
CarrotSSSSSSabout 9 weeks
CauliflowerTPPPPPabout 15 weeks
CeleriacTTPPPPabout 24 weeks
CeleryTTPPPPabout 22 weeks
ChivesTSSSSSPabout 10 weeks
CilantroSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
CucumberTSPabout 11 weeks
DillSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Fava beansSSSSSSSabout 16 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 34 weeks
KaleSSSSSSPabout 8 weeks
LeekTPPPPPabout 20 weeks
LettuceSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
OnionPPTPPPPPPPabout 45 weeks
ParsleyTSSSSSPabout 9 weeks
ParsnipSSSSabout 14 weeks
PeasSSSSSSSSSabout 12 weeks
Pole beansSSabout 12 weeks
PotatoPPPPPabout 12 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
Runner beansSabout 12 weeks
RutabagaSSSSSabout 12 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSSabout 8 weeks
SpinachSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
StrawberryPPabout 18 weeks
Sweet cornSSabout 14 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSabout 7 weeks
TomatoTPabout 21 weeks
TurnipSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
Winter squashPabout 16 weeks
ZucchiniPSSabout 9 weeks

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

Vancouver season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, fava beans, kale, lettuce, parsley, parsnip, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, rutabaga, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: strawberry, tomato and winter squash.

Summer June to August

Time to start: basil and runner beans.

Last chance for: basil, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, cucumber, dill, fava beans, leek, lettuce, parsnip, pole beans, potato, runner beans, rutabaga, scallions, sweet corn, Swiss chard, turnip and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: fava beans and garlic.

Last chance for: arugula, bok choy, cabbage, chives, cilantro, fava beans, garlic, kale, onion, parsley, peas, radish and spinach.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Vancouver

Last frost, most years
around April 14
Frost is unlikely after
about April 19
First frost, most years
around October 25
Frost-free days in a year
about 194

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 Vancouver

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: bell pepper, cantaloupe, eggplant, hot pepper, okra and watermelon.

Too cold here: sweet potato.

Questions about planting in Vancouver

What can I plant now in Vancouver?

In October, 5 vegetables can be sown or planted in Vancouver, including cabbage, fava beans, garlic, onion and peas. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, sow tomatoes indoors in April and transplant them in May. Picking runs in September.

When should I plant potatoes in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, plant potatoes from March to July. The best time to start is from March to July. Picking runs from July to November.

When should I plant garlic in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Vancouver?

In most years the last frost in Vancouver comes around April 14. Frost is unlikely after about April 19, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 25.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Vancouver?

The quick ones are radish (about 4 weeks), arugula (about 5 weeks), basil (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), bok choy (about 6 weeks), spinach (about 6 weeks), beets (about 7 weeks) and lettuce (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 Calgary · 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 Vancouver. 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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