What to plant this week in Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge gardeners are in the thick of mid-summer heat, with average lows hitting 20°F only as a distant memory from early February. This week marks peak production for your Okra and Malabar Spinach while you finish harvesting that Garlic planted back in winter before the Dec 15 frost risk vanished.
The next 7 days
Baton Rouge, LAGrowing in Baton Rouge right now
- The heavy red clay soil typical of East Baton Parish drains slowly during our frequent summer downpours; create raised beds or mounds if planting new vegetables this week to prevent root rot on Zinnias and Squash.
- Our humid climate accelerates growth but requires consistent watering in the afternoon rather than morning to reduce fungal issues on your French Marigolds and Nasturtiums.
- Take advantage of our long frost-free window by sowing Cleome (Spider Flower) or Bush Beans now; they will mature quickly before the occasional late-season storm hits in December.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer heat.
- Mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for bean leaf beetles and aphids clustering on Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Beans, which thrive in Baton Rouge humidity.
- Monitor Okra fields closely for budworms that can devastate flower buds during our hot, wet growing season.
- Check the undersides of Malabar Spinach leaves for flea beetles, a common issue in our local vegetable patches.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to help plants withstand afternoon heat while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvest watermelon and cantaloupe regularly to signal the plant to continue producing fruit rather than stopping growth.
Baton Rouge gardening questions
3Is it safe to transplant seedlings now given my last frost date was Feb 6?
Technically you don't need to wait for hardening off since the danger of frost passed months ago, but avoid transplanting delicate crops during a heavy rainstorm common in our climate. Transplant only on dry days to prevent shock in our dense clay soil.
Which of the summer harvestables will ripen first this week?
Expect your Bush Beans, Cucumber, and Yellow Summer Squash to be ready for picking within a few days if they were started early. Don't forget that Garlic is also listed for harvest soon, signaling the end of its long cycle here.
How do I handle the intense Baton Rouge heat for my Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) and Zinnias?
Provide afternoon shade cloth or plant them under taller trees like Live Oaks to prevent scorching during our peak summer temperatures. Consistent watering is critical, as our clay soil dries out rapidly once sun exposure exceeds six hours daily.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Baton Rouge garden in SproutGuide →