Gardening in Paradise, Newfoundland
Avalon Peninsula · Cool maritime, open suburban
Paradise has many newer, open lots with little established shelter. That often makes wind a bigger factor than the town's location suggests. The climate is close to the rest of the northeast Avalon, but young yards can feel colder and more exposed.
Growing season and frost
- Typical last spring frost
- Late May to mid June
- average ~Jun 1
- Typical first fall frost
- Mid September to mid October
- average ~Oct 11
- Average frost-free season
- ~131 days
Ranges show the middle half of years: in roughly one year in four, the last frost comes later than the range, so keep cover handy.
Frost data: Environment Canada climate normals 1981–2010, nearby St. John's West CDA station. Checked 2026-10-04. Paradise has no station of its own. St. John's West (the agricultural research station on the city's western edge) is the closest inland reference. Historical averages are guidance, not a forecast for this year.
How the season is changing
The Climate Atlas of Canada estimates St. John's's frost-free season at about 154 days (1976–2005), with projections well beyond that by mid-century. For gardeners that means more room for warm crops over time, but also hotter spells and heavier rain to plan around. These figures are for St. John's and are a close reference for Paradise.
| St. John's | 1976–2005 | 2051–2080 (range) |
|---|---|---|
| Frost-free season | 154 | ~200 (167 to 238) |
| Below-zero days per year | 163 | ~103 (63 to 137) |
| Days above +25 °C per year | 8 | ~33 (10 to 61) |
| Typical hottest summer day | 26.9 °C | ~30.3 °C (27.7 °C to 33.0 °C) |
| Typical coldest winter day | -17.8 °C | ~-12.0 °C (-16.6 °C to -7.9 °C) |
| Summer precipitation | 267 mm | ~277 mm (176 mm to 394 mm) |
| Winter precipitation | 408 mm | ~462 mm (354 mm to 580 mm) |
Source: Climate Atlas of Canada, St. John's city report (Version 2.0, March 2019), high-carbon (RCP8.5) scenario. Explore the frost days map. These are modelled climate estimates, not a forecast. They differ slightly from the station frost averages above because they use a different period and method. Use the station frost dates for planting this year.
Local gardening challenges
- Little mature shelter, so wind is the main limit in many new yards.
- Thin or compacted topsoil in newly built lots.
- Spring frost risk on open ground.
Wind and exposure
Many yards lack mature trees — temporary windbreaks can pay off quickly. House walls and new fences are often the best warm-spot opportunities in a young yard.
What tends to grow well
- Wind-tolerant crops such as kale, turnips, potatoes and beets
- Lettuce and spinach in sheltered beds
- Garlic
Needs more strategy
- Raised beds with fresh soil often outperform new-build topsoil
- A simple windbreak (fence, netting, a hedge) can change what's realistic
- Tomatoes and beans are best kept by the house wall
How Paradise differs
Paradise uses the same nearby St. John's West frost reference as Mount Pearl. The bigger difference between yards here is usually shelter and soil, not frost dates.
Right now in Paradise
Checking today's date…
See everything you can plant nowCrop guides for Paradise gardeners
Your yard isn't average.
Get a plan for your sun, wind and setup in Paradise. No account needed.
Plan My GardenLocal advice on this page is awaiting review by an experienced Paradise gardener.