Planting dates for Lower Mainland
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Abbotsford Airport, the official station 6 km from Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Lower Mainland (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | February 24 | April 14 |
| Pepper | February 10 | April 21 |
| Peas | – | March 3 |
| Lettuce | February 10 | March 10 |
| Carrot | – | March 17 |
| Bush beans | – | April 14 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | March 24 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Lower Mainland planting questions
When is the last frost in Lower Mainland?
Around April 7, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Abbotsford Airport, the official station 6 km from Lower Mainland. 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 Lower Mainland?
Start seeds indoors around February 24 and transplant around April 14, once nights hold above 10 C. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Lower Mainland.
How long is the growing season in Lower Mainland?
About 208 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 7 to November 1. 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 theEnvironment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normalsat Abbotsford 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 Lower Mainland: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 655 stations.