Last Frost Date Regina — When Is It Safe to Plant?
Regina's last frost is May 21 — first frost Sept 17, ~119-day season, Zone 3b. Full planting calendar with indoor start dates and outdoor transplant dates for 20+ vegetables.
Regina's last frost date is May 21 — the date that determines your entire planting schedule. First fall frost arrives around Sept 17, giving Regina approximately ~119 frost-free days in Zone 3b. Use this guide alongside the seed starting calculator to build your complete planting schedule.
For a deeper dive on Regina's frost dates — the neighbourhood breakdown (Wascana urban core, north and south Regina, rural RM of Sherwood, the Qu'Appelle Valley, Moose Jaw), the volatile Prairie continental climate, comparison to Saskatoon, Calgary, and Winnipeg, and frost protection including Wall-O-Water — see the dedicated Last Frost Date Regina page.
Regina at a glance: Last frost May 21 · First frost Sept 17 · Growing season ~119 days · Hardiness zone 3b.
📅 Regina's Key Frost Dates
Regina Planting Calendar — Full Table
All dates calculated from Regina's average last frost of May 21. Start indoors dates count backward from transplant date. Direct sow dates are when it's safe to plant outdoors.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Transplant Out | Direct Sow | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🍅 Tomatoes | Apr 2–16 | May 21–31 | — | 55–75 days |
| 🌶 Peppers | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 28–Jun 7 | — | 60–80 days |
| 🥬 Cucumbers | May 7–14 | May 28–Jun 5 | May 28–Jun 5 | 50–65 days |
| 🎃 Zucchini / Squash | May 7–14 | May 28–Jun 5 | May 28–Jun 5 | 50–60 days |
| 🥦 Broccoli | Apr 9–23 | May 8–18 | — | 60–80 days |
| 🥬 Cabbage | Apr 2–16 | May 8–18 | — | 70–120 days |
| 🧀 Onions (seed) | Mar 8–22 | May 8–21 | — | 100–120 days |
| 🧀 Onions (sets) | — | — | May 8–21 | 65–75 days |
| 🥕 Carrots | — | — | May 8–Jun 1 | 70–80 days |
| 🫘 Bush Beans | — | — | May 21–Jun 7 | 50–60 days |
| 🌿 Peas | — | — | Apr 28–May 14 | 55–70 days |
| 🥬 Lettuce | Apr 16–30 | May 8–18 | May 8–Jun 15 | 45–60 days |
| 🌿 Spinach | — | — | Apr 28–May 21 | 40–50 days |
| 🥦 Kale | Apr 9–23 | May 8–18 | May 8–Jun 1 | 55–75 days |
| 🌿 Basil | May 1–14 | May 28–Jun 5 | — | 60–90 days |
| 🧪 Garlic | — | — | Plant Oct 1–15 | Harvest Jul–Aug |
| 🥔 Potatoes | — | — | May 8–21 | 70–120 days |
| 🌽 Corn | — | — | May 21–Jun 1 | 65–75 days |
Get Your Personalized Regina Planting Schedule
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🌿 Free Seed Starting Calculator🍅 Growing Tomatoes in Regina
Best Tomato Varieties for Regina
💡 Regina tip: With only 119 days between frosts and hot, dry summers, choose determinite short-season tomato varieties that ripen all at once rather than indeterminate types that keep producing. This ensures a full harvest before the September 17 frost. Keep frost cloth ready from September 1 — early frost in late August occurs in cold years.
Regina-Specific Gardening Tips
Regina has one of Canada's hottest, driest summers — irrigate consistently
Despite being Zone 3b, Regina summers are genuinely hot — July averages 26°C high and heat waves above 35°C are common. Combined with low rainfall (only 350 mm annually, mostly in spring), consistent irrigation is not optional. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the most efficient approach. Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than lightly every day — deep watering builds deeper root systems that tolerate heat better.
Wind is relentless — shelter and stake everything
Regina is one of the windiest cities in Canada. Prairie winds batter seedlings, dry out soil rapidly, and topple tall crops. Plant tomatoes, corn, and tall vegetables in sheltered locations, stake early, and harden off seedlings for a full 10 days before transplanting. Windbreaks (fences, hedges, tall annuals) significantly improve yields for the entire garden.
Short-season varieties are non-negotiable — 119 days leaves no margin
With only 119 days between frosts, every day matters. A 90-day tomato planted on May 21 harvest date lands on August 19 — but September 17 frost is only 27 days later. Choose varieties with the shortest days-to-maturity that meet your needs. For tomatoes, target under 65 days. For squash, under 55 days. Check days-to-maturity on every seed packet before buying.
Use season extension — both ends of the season
Plastic mulch warms soil before transplanting. Cold frames or row covers let you direct sow cool-season crops 2–3 weeks earlier than the frost date. In fall, frost cloth over tomatoes can extend harvest by 1–2 weeks past the average September 17 frost — potentially significant in a 119-day season.
Month-by-Month Regina Garden Calendar
- Start onions, leeks, celery indoors (early March)
- Start peppers indoors (late March)
- Order seeds
- Clean seed trays and grow lights
- Start tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage indoors (early April)
- Start lettuce indoors (mid-April)
- Start cucumbers, squash, basil (early May)
- Direct sow peas outdoors under frost cloth (late April)
- Direct sow carrots, beets, spinach (May 8–15)
- Transplant broccoli, kale, lettuce (May 8–18)
- Transplant tomatoes after May 21
- Direct sow beans, corn after May 21
- Transplant peppers, cucumbers, squash (late May–early June)
- Harvest peas and early cool-season crops
- Water consistently — Regina summers are hot and dry
- Succession sow fast crops for fall
- Harvest tomatoes from August onward
- Watch forecast daily from Sept 1
- Harvest all tomatoes before Sept 17 frost
- Bring green tomatoes inside to ripen
- Plant garlic Oct 1–15
- Clear beds and mulch perennials
How Regina Compares to Other Canadian Cities
| City | Zone | Last Frost | First Frost | Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regina | 3b | May 21 | Sept 17 | ~119 days | Short season, hot dry summer |
| Saskatoon | 3b | May 25 | Sept 12 | ~110 days | Slightly shorter than Regina |
| Winnipeg | 3b | May 25 | Sept 20 | ~118 days | Very similar to Regina |
| Calgary | 3b | May 23 | Sept 21 | ~120 days | Similar season, less extreme heat |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date in Regina ?
Regina's last frost date is May 21 (Zone 3b). For frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, add a 1–2 week buffer and transplant around May 28 to June 1. Keep frost cloth on hand until June 7 — cold snaps into early June occur in the Prairies.
When is the last frost date in Regina?
Regina's average last spring frost is May 21 (Zone 3b). It typically ranges from May 15 in warm years to early June in cold ones. Prairie weather is unpredictable — always check the 14-day forecast before transplanting frost-sensitive crops.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Regina?
Start tomato seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before Regina's last frost date of May 21 — meaning April 2 to April 16. Choose short-season varieties under 65 days to maturity for reliable harvest before the September 17 fall frost: Tumbler (49 days), Early Girl (52 days), or Siletz (52 days).
How long is the growing season in Regina?
Regina's growing season is approximately 119 days — from last frost around May 21 to first fall frost around September 17. This is one of Canada's shorter growing seasons and makes short-season variety selection critical for everything from tomatoes to squash.
What vegetables grow best in Regina?
Regina's hot, dry, short summers suit fast-maturing vegetables best. Excellent performers: bush beans (55 days, perfect for the season), root vegetables (carrots and beets finish well before frost), peas (direct sow late April, harvest June–July), lettuce (late spring and late summer sowings avoid peak heat), kale and chard, and short-season tomatoes, cucumbers, and zucchini. Irrigation is essential for all crops in Regina's dry climate.
What hardiness zone is Regina?
Regina is Zone 3b — one of the coldest zones among major Canadian cities. Winter minimum temperatures reach -40°C or below in extreme cold snaps. For vegetable growing, the frost dates (May 21 / September 17) are more important than the zone number. For perennial plants and fruit trees, Zone 3b limits options significantly — prairie-bred varieties are essential.
Can I grow tomatoes in Regina?
Yes — Regina gardeners grow tomatoes every year. The key is starting early (April 2–16 indoors), choosing short-season varieties under 65 days, and transplanting after May 21 with frost cloth ready for late cold snaps. Cherry tomatoes are most reliable. Determinite varieties that ripen all at once are better suited to Regina's short season than indeterminate types.
📖 Related Guides & Calculators
Plan your Regina garden from seed to harvest.
What to Plant in Regina — Crop-by-Crop Calendar
Short Prairie growing season means crop choice matters. These six dedicated planting guides give exact dates, varieties, and tactics that work in Regina's climate.