Manitoba Planting Zones

The beautiful prairie province of Manitoba is known for its many forests, sweeping plains, thousands of lakes, and rugged mountains. The region spreads across five different planting zones (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4), and temperatures can drop down to −40 °F (−40 °C) in winter across the province.

In this article, you will learn:

It’s important to be aware that Canadian planting zones are determined by analyzing a range of climatic variables, including minimum and maximum temperatures, snowfall, wind gusts, and more and cannot be used interchangeably with the USDA system.

Image from Natural Resources Canada

 

Characteristics of Manitoba Planting Region

Manitoba has a cold continental climate with short, very warm summers and long, frigid winters. Most of the province experiences four distinct seasons and a variety of extreme weather conditions, such as:

  • Thunderstorms
  • Hail
  • Tornadoes
  • Blizzards
  • Heatwaves
  • High winds
  • Sharp temperature changes

The average frost-free growing season for the city of Winnipeg is 120 days between the end of May and mid-September; however, this will vary depending on what region of the province you’re located in.

Manitoba, Canada | Photo by Brady Corps on Unsplash

Challenges of Growing in Manitoba

1. Extreme weather

Severe weather events such as thunderstorms, hail, and blizzards can damage or destroy your garden. Utilizing a protective covering or indoor growing is necessary to keep your plants safe in this unpredictable region

2. Short growing season

The short frost-free period really limits growing options in this province. Indoor growing is essential to extend the planting season and to explore other vegetable varieties.

3. Temperature fluctuation

The sharp seasonal temperature changes in Manitoba can harm your garden throughout the year. Indoor or protected growing will allow you to regulate the temperature and keep your plants healthy.

 Kleefeld, Niverville, Canada | Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Manitoba

Extreme weather conditions, a short growing season, and sharp temperature fluctuations make Manitoba an ideal region for greenhouse growing. By protecting your plants and regulating the indoor temperature, you’ll be able to extend your planting season by several months. 

1. Extend your Growing Season

  • Without a Greenhouse:
    Manitoba’s planting season tends to last between 3-4 months. The shorter growing timeframe in this region means that many warm-season or tender vegetables wouldn’t mature quickly enough to survive through the first frost if planted outdoors. 
  • With a Greenhouse:
    A greenhouse will help you extend your growing season from the short timeframe of Manitoba to 7-9 months each year, allowing you to maximize your growing time and increase your harvests.

Learn more about specific growing dates for your area and the best vegetables to plant in each part of Manitoba

 

Customer image of the Sigma Greenhouse in a similar growing climate of Camrose, Alberta

 

 Customer image from a similar growing climate in Athabasca, Alberta

2. Grow a Wider Variety of Vegetables

  • Without a Greenhouse:
    Outdoor gardeners are limited to cold-hardy and short-season vegetables for the most part. The following are known to grow comfortably outdoors across Manitoba:
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Swiss Chard
  • Turnips
  • Onion set
  • With a Greenhouse:
    A greenhouse will dramatically expand the planting options available for gardeners. Many of these vegetables require longer growing seasons or warmer weather, making them unfit for outdoor growing in this province. Some of the vegetables that would thrive in a Manitoba greenhouse include:
  • Cucumbers
  • Bell Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Tomatoes
  • Yellow Squash
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Bush Wax Beans
  • Green Beans
  • Pumpkins
  • Chives
  • Horse Radish
  • Rhubarb
  • Mint
  • Dill
  • Cherry Tomatoes



Indoor gardening | Photo by PrathSnap from Pexels
 

Why Planta Greenhouses?

 

Customers Stories from Manitoba

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