What Grows in St. John's, NL?
Cool foggy maritime — short cool season, hardy greens and roots best.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
St. John's is in Canadian Zone 5 with about 110 frost-free days, and you can grow kale, potato, carrot, beet, and more here.
Planting tips for St. John's
Very short cool season — cold-hardy crops and raised beds only.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost June 1, first frost October 1.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in St. John's
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellLocal favourites in St. John's: kale, potato, carrot, beet, cabbage, peas.
Frequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is St. John's, NL in?
St. John's, NL is in Canadian Hardiness Zone 5. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in St. John's?
The average last spring frost in St. John's is around June 1, and the first fall frost is typically October 1. Plan to move tender plants outside after June 1 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 1.
What grows well in St. John's?
Plenty — St. John's's Canadian Zone 5 climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is St. John's's growing season?
St. John's typically has around 110 frost-free days per year (roughly June 1 to October 1). That's enough for most annual vegetables if you start warm-season crops indoors and stick to faster-maturing varieties for anything tender.
What should I plant first in St. John's?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in St. John's.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in St. John's?
Yes — St. John's's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in St. John's?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around June 1), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.