What to plant this week in St. John's, NL
St. John's gardeners are in the thick of summer harvests as average last frost lingers just days away, keeping a cautious eye on May 1st while enjoying crops like Beefsteak tomatoes and Cucumber. With our maritime climate bringing unpredictable cool spells and heavy Atlantic rainfall, this week focuses on protecting ripening produce from sudden dampness and wind.
The next 7 days
St. John's, NLGrowing in St. John's right now
- Protect low-lying garden beds in the Burin Peninsula or Harbour Front areas where frost pockets form easily despite zone 5b averages; cover tender crops like Sweet Corn with row covers if temps drop near zero overnight.
- Ensure excellent drainage for Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini in our clay-heavy coastal soils, as heavy rains this week can cause root rot without raised beds or mounds.
- Harvest Carrot and Beet now before soil moisture from frequent rain makes pulling difficult; dry them thoroughly to prevent mold during the short remaining growing season.
Sow this week
6 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
55 crops- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cherry Tomato
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Collard Greens
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ground Cherry
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Nasturtium
- Onion
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shishito Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Swiss Chard
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers to retain moisture as summer heat sets in.
- Pinch back the tops of young squash plants to encourage bushy growth before they get too large.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for late-season Aphid outbreaks on Cucumber and Pole Bean stems, especially when humid coastal air slows plant drying in the evenings.
- Monitor Collard Greens and Swiss Chard for imported cabbage moth larvae as temperatures hover near the threshold for their development this month.
- Check Garden Geraniums and Petunias for spider mites which thrive in our dry wind-exposed spots despite overall high humidity.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep soil moist but avoid wetting foliage which invites disease on your leafy greens.
Harvest Banana Peppers and Cayenne Peppers now while they are still small for a spicier, more compact fruit.
St. John's gardening questions
3Should I start my next planting of French Marigolds or Nasturtium indoors now?
No, wait until the soil is consistently warm; with an average last frost date around May 1st, sow these directly outdoors after seeing three nights above 50°F to ensure strong root establishment.
How do I stop my Banana Pepper and Jalapeño from getting blossom end rot this late in the season?
This usually happens when heavy rain leaches calcium; apply a balanced liquid fertilizer immediately and water deeply but slowly to help roots absorb nutrients without washing them away again.
Is it safe to harvest my Zucchini now even though the weather might turn cold tomorrow?
Yes, pick ripe fruits daily before night frosts damage the skin, as harvested zucchini will keep well in a cool basement for several weeks while you plan your autumn succession.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your St. John's garden in SproutGuide →