The Home Almanac

Planting dates for Edmonton

Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Edmonton City Centre Airport, the official station 4 km from Edmonton, Alberta.

Last spring frostMay 9
First fall frostSeptember 22
Frost-free season135 days

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

Key windows for Edmonton (2026)

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sow
Tomato March 28 May 16
Pepper March 14 May 23
Peas April 4
Lettuce March 14 April 11
Carrot April 18
Bush beans May 16
Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) Fall planted
Potato April 25

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

Edmonton planting questions

When is the last frost in Edmonton?

Around May 9, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Edmonton City Centre Airport, the official station 4 km from Edmonton. 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 Edmonton?

Start seeds indoors around March 28 and transplant around May 16, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Edmonton.

How long is the growing season in Edmonton?

About 135 frost-free days on average, from roughly May 9 to September 22. 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 Edmonton City Centre 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 Edmonton: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.