What to plant this week in New Orleans, LA
With average lows holding steady around 25°F and the last frost date firmly behind us on Jan 30, New Orleans gardeners are officially in full swing for spring sowing. The heat is already building, making this your critical window to start warm-season crops like okra and watermelon that thrive in our humid subtropical climate.
The next 7 days
New Orleans, LAGrowing in New Orleans right now
- Our heavy clay soils in the Mississippi River basin can become waterlogged quickly; ensure you amend beds with compost or plant on raised mounds for better drainage before starting beans.
- New Orleans summers bring intense humidity that accelerates powdery mildew on cucurbits, so space your squash and melon rows to maximize airflow between plants.
- The city's frequent afternoon thunderstorms can wash away delicate seedlings; consider using row covers or light netting until transplants are sturdy enough to resist wind.
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
- Start succession planting for bush beans and summer squash now to ensure a continuous harvest through the heat of August.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil, Shiso, and Thai Basil regularly today to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Divide overcrowded Sunflowers or Zinnias if they are becoming leggy, replanting them for a fresh round of blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are becoming active in the rising heat and will target okra and tomatoes if humidity spikes during dry spells.
- Cutworms often hatch from winter-dormant pupae in our clay soil, chewing down young bean seedlings overnight before they emerge.
- Aphid colonies on fennel and cosmos can explode rapidly with the spring warmth, potentially leading to sooty mold on nearby flowers.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of vegetable plants during the hottest part of the day to keep roots cool and soil moisture consistent.
Interplant fast-maturing Bush Beans with slower-growing Pumpkins or Winter Squash to maximize space in your garden bed.
New Orleans gardening questions
3Can I direct sow my squash seeds now or should I wait for warmer soil?
Yes, you can plant zucchini, summer squash, and pumpkin directly into the ground today since our nights are consistently warm. Just be sure to firm up the clay soil first so roots don't struggle in compacted earth.
What is the best way to protect my okra plants from spider mites as the heat rises?
Inspect your okra leaves daily under a magnifying glass and spray with insecticidal soap if you see stippling on the undersides. Keeping the canopy well-aerated by not overcrowding rows helps prevent these pests from taking hold.
My watermelon seeds aren't germinating; is it too cold for them in New Orleans right now?
While we are past our last frost date, watermelons specifically need soil temperatures above 70°F to sprout reliably. Wait a week or two until the ground warms further before planting melon and cantaloupe seeds directly.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your New Orleans garden in SproutGuide →