Planting dates for Greater Toronto Area
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Toronto Buttonville Airport, the official station 14 km from Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Greater Toronto Area (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | March 24 | May 12 |
| Pepper | March 10 | May 19 |
| Peas | – | March 31 |
| Lettuce | March 10 | April 7 |
| Carrot | – | April 14 |
| Bush beans | – | May 12 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | April 21 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Greater Toronto Area planting questions
When is the last frost in Greater Toronto Area?
Around May 5, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Toronto Buttonville Airport, the official station 14 km from Greater Toronto Area. 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 Greater Toronto Area?
Start seeds indoors around March 24 and transplant around May 12, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Greater Toronto Area.
How long is the growing season in Greater Toronto Area?
About 157 frost-free days on average, from roughly May 5 to October 10. 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 Toronto Buttonville 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 Greater Toronto Area: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 638 stations.