Blog

When to Plant Potatoes in Montreal, QC

Potatoes

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Montreal, Quebec is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 118 feet, Montreal receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly gray-brown podzol soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Montreal, QC (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Montreal Soil Profile

Soil Type

Gray-Brown Podzol

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Potatoes to Grow

3-5 lbs
Average yield per plant
5
Plants per person
10 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 20 potatoes plants in about 40 sq ft. In Montreal's 187-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Potatoes Planting Timeline — Montreal, QC

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 – Sep 14

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Montreal

Growing Tips for Montreal

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Montreal, QC?

Montreal is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montreal, QC?

Montreal, Quebec is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Montreal Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Montreal (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montreal, QC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.