At this point in the growing season, the majority of crops are in the ground as the risk of frost is basically over. Perennial crops have already flowered and are progressing towards maturity. But how long does that actually take? When will those strawberries be ready? Saskatoon berries? Sweet corn? A big pumpkin? A nice, tender zucchini? That cabbage roll cabbage?
The short answer is that it depends. It depends on the location, the grower, the variety/cultivar, the date of planting, the growing season conditions, whether it was direct seeded or transplanted, and a hundred other factors. But, if you are like me, and are impatiently waiting for the first fruits and vegetables to be available, there are some general timelines that might give you some hope. Of course, those general timelines are subject to reality, but it is a start.
For fruiting plants, the time of flowering is what starts the clock, but fruit development can take anywhere between 30 and 100+ days, depending on what fruit we are talking about.
For annual vegetables, days to maturity can really vary, but are perhaps a bit more predictable, depending on how quickly the plant germinates, emerges and grows.
Fruit Crops
| Crop | General Flowering Period* | General Harvest Period* | Factors that might influence “Time to Maturity” | Caveats and Qualifications |
| Strawberries – June-bearing | June | July to early August | Temperature Sunlight Age and health of plant Variety/cultivar |
Some varieties will mature later than others, but most of those grown in AB are “July-bearers” |
| Strawberries – Day-neutrals | Late May Mid-July through September |
Late June Mid-August to end of September |
Temperatures Plant management Frost / Temperature protection |
Over 28°C = no flowering = no fruit a month later |
| Saskatoon berries | Early to mid-late May | Mid-July to end of August | Variety/cultivar Temperature Moisture |
Most varieties run within a couple of weeks of each other |
| Raspberries – floricane type (summer bearing) | June to early July |
Late July to end of August |
Variety/cultivar Climatic conditions |
|
| Raspberries – primocane type (fall bearing) | Mid-July through August |
Late August to end of September |
Variety/cultivar Climatic conditions Spring covering |
Flowering and fruiting are dependent on developmental progression – as each node reaches a certain point, it switches from vegetative to generative |
| Black Currants | May | August | Variety/cultivar | Maturity can depend on the end-use |
| Sour Cherries | May | Late July to early September | Variety/cultivar | |
| Haskap / Blue Honeysuckles | April / May | Late June to mid-August | Variety/cultivar | Some cultivars mature later than others. Most are among the earliest fruit, whereas others fit into more typical periods |
| Chokecherry | Late May | Mid-August to early September | Variety/cultivar Sunlight Temperature |
|
| Apples | May | Late August to early October | Variety/cultivar Temperature Sunlight |
|
| Pears | May | September | Variety/cultivar Temperature Sunlight |
|
| Sea buckthorn | September | Harvest time might be extended into early winter |
*based on typical Canadian prairie conditions (this will differ from other, more mild regions)
Vegetables Crops
| Crop | Days to Maturity (DTM) | General Harvest Period* | Factors that might influence DTM |
| Peas | 55-75 days Snap peas = longer DTM |
Depends on planting date – mid-July onward | Planting date Frosts Variety/cultivar |
| Beans | 48-70 days Bush types = shorter DTM |
Depends on planting date – late-July onward | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Cabbage | 70-120 days | Depends on planting date and type – August onward | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Broccoli | 65-80 days | Depends on planting date – August onward | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Cauliflower | 55-90 days (from transplanting) | Depends on planting date – August onward | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Carrots | 55-90 days | August to October | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Beets | 60+ days | Late July to October | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Radishes | 30+ days | Late May to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Potatoes | Depends on type / cultivar | Depends on factors – July to October | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, etc.) | Depends on type – 37-85 days | Depends on many factors – May to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Cucumbers | 50-70 days | Depends on type – Late-July onwards | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Summer Squash | 60+ days | July to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Winter Squash | 80+ days | Late August to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Pumpkins | 75+ days | September to October | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Onions (bulb) | 90+ days Sweet types = longer DTM |
Late July to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Garlic | – | July to September | Planting Date Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Sweet Corn | 60-100+ days | August to September | Temperature Variety/Cultivar |
| Tomatoes / Peppers / etc. | 60-85+ days (from transplant) | August to September |
Planting Date Transplant growing time = 6-10 weeks |
*based on typical Canadian prairie conditions (this will differ from other, more mild regions)