Planting dates for Golden Horseshoe
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Shanty Bay, the official station 12 km from Golden Horseshoe, Ontario.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Golden Horseshoe (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | March 30 | May 18 |
| Pepper | March 16 | May 25 |
| Peas | – | April 6 |
| Lettuce | March 16 | April 13 |
| Carrot | – | April 20 |
| Bush beans | – | May 18 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | April 27 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Golden Horseshoe planting questions
When is the last frost in Golden Horseshoe?
Around May 11, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Shanty Bay, the official station 12 km from Golden Horseshoe. 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 Golden Horseshoe?
Start seeds indoors around March 30 and transplant around May 18, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Golden Horseshoe.
How long is the growing season in Golden Horseshoe?
About 148 frost-free days on average, from roughly May 11 to October 7. 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 Shanty Bay: 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 Golden Horseshoe: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.