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Planting Calendar for Nelson, BC

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 27 (at CASTLEGAR A, BC climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 9-Sep 13
Moon Aug 9, Aug 24-Sep 7
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 5-Aug 2
Moon Jul 11-23
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Jul 19-Aug 9
Moon Jul 24-Aug 9
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jun 28-Jul 5
Moon Jun 28-Jul 5
Frost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 7-21
Moon Jun 7-11
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jun 28-Jul 5
Moon Jun 28-Jul 5
Frost Jul 19-26
Moon Jul 24-26
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 12-19
Moon Jul 12-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jun 21-28
Moon Jun 25-28
Frost Jul 5-12
Moon Jul 5-10
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 5-Aug 2
Moon Jul 5-10, Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jun 28-Jul 12
Moon Jun 28-Jul 10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 11-25
Moon Oct 11-20
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 12-26
Moon Jul 24-26
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Jul 26-Aug 16
Moon Jul 26-Aug 9
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Jul 26-Aug 16
Moon Jul 26-Aug 9
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Aug 16-30
Moon Aug 16-22
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 9-30
Moon Aug 9, Aug 24-30
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Jul 26-Aug 9
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 8 (at CASTLEGAR A, BC climate station, elevation 1624 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 27-May 1
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
Aug 30
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 24-26
May 8
BasilFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
Aug 16
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 24-26
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 13-17
May 22
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 26-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AJul 5
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jun 19
BroccoliFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
Jul 26
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
Jun 21
CabbageFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 15
CantaloupesFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 27-May 1
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-12
Frost May 15-22
Jun 21
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 13-24
Jul 19
CauliflowerFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 1-12
N/AJul 12
CeleryFrost Feb 12-26
Moon Feb 12
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 8
Moon May 8
Jul 19
ChivesFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost Apr 17-24
Frost Apr 17-24
Aug 2
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 8-22
Moon May 8-12
May 29
CollardsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 17-24
Jul 19
CucumbersFrost Apr 17-24
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jul 19
DillN/AN/AFrost May 1-22
Moon May 1-12
Aug 2
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jun 21
EggplantsFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AJul 19
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
FennelFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost May 15-22
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-12
Jul 12
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 15-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
Jul 19
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 17-24
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jun 28
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 26-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
KohlrabiFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 17-24
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
LeeksFrost Feb 26-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 27-May 1
N/AJun 14
LettuceFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 17-24
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-12
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
Jul 19
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 13-24
N/AJun 21
OreganoFrost Feb 26-Mar 27
Moon Feb 27-Mar 14
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AJul 19
ParsleyFrost Feb 26-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost Apr 10-May 15
Moon Apr 10-12, Apr 27-May 12
Jul 12
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 13-17
Jun 21
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 29-Jun 12
Moon Jun 12
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 13-24
Jul 19
PumpkinsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 27-May 1
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jun 14
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 13-17
Aug 2
RosemaryFrost Feb 12-26
Moon Feb 12
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AAug 2
SageFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AJul 12
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 13-24
Jun 21
SpinachFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 17-24
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-12
May 22
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
Jul 12
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 22-25
Jun 14
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
Frost Apr 17-May 8
Moon Apr 27-May 8
May 22
ThymeFrost Feb 26-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost May 15-22
N/AJul 5
TomatillosFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Mar 29-Apr 10
Frost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 26-Jun 5
N/AJul 12
TomatoesFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-14
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
N/AJun 28
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 13-17
Aug 30
WatermelonsFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 27-May 1
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 15-22
Jun 28
Winter SquashFrost Apr 17-24
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jun 7
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 17-24
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 26-29
Frost May 22-29
Moon May 26-29
Jul 26
The Old Farmer's Store