What to plant this week in Baton Rouge, LA
With temperatures holding steady above 60°F, Baton Rouge gardeners are in full swing for late spring sowing and early summer harvesting. While the official last frost date passed weeks ago on Feb 6, watch out for sudden overnight dips near the 20°F minimum that can still occur during cold fronts.
The next 7 days
Baton Rouge, LAGrowing in Baton Rouge right now
- The dense clay soil common along the Mississippi River Basin retains moisture well but drains slowly; ensure raised beds or amended plots are used for root crops to prevent waterlogging.
- Heavy afternoon thunderstorms are typical this time of year, so space plants like okra and squash widely to improve air circulation and reduce rot risk.
- With no hard freezes expected before Dec 15, you have a long window to start heat-loving giants like pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons directly in the ground right now.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- 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 and Pole Beans every two weeks now for a continuous summer supply.
- Mulch around newly transplanted Warm-Season crops like Zucchini to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of young Sunflowers to encourage bushier growth before they start flowering.
- Prepare soil beds with compost if you plan to sow Pumpkin or Winter Squash soon.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active on newly transplanted vegetables as humidity drops slightly during dry spells.
- Watch for aphids clustering on tender new growth of basil and beans before heavy rains wash them away.
- Late-season root maggots may begin attacking young carrots or beets if you decide to plant these soon.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation, especially as temperatures rise past 85°F.
Harvest Basil regularly by snipping leafy stems from the top to keep the plant producing new growth all summer long.
Baton Rouge gardening questions
3Can I still plant watermelon and cantaloupe seeds in Baton Rouge soil right now?
Absolutely; since we are well past the Feb 6 frost date, these warm-weather crops thrive immediately in direct sunlight. Just make sure your clay-heavy soil is amended with compost to help them establish strong roots.
What should I harvest from my garden this week in Louisiana?
Your basil, bush beans, and okra are ready to pick today, alongside any early cucumbers or pole beans that have started fruiting. Don't forget to check your garlic for maturity if you planted a late variety last fall.
How do I protect my zucchini from the common borers here?
Inspect the undersides of leaves daily and hand-pick any caterpillars before they bore into the fruit, which is crucial in our humid climate. Applying neem oil early can also deter these pests without harming beneficial pollinators.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Baton Rouge garden in SproutGuide →