What to plant this week in Baton Rouge, LA
In Baton Rouge, the lingering warmth of Zone 9a means you are well past frost danger with a last freeze date of Feb 6, so this week is about maximizing your summer crop cycle before the Dec 15 first frost. With average minimums hovering near 20°F in winter but currently enjoying true heat, focus on rapid harvests for beans and melons that are already nearing maturity.
The next 7 days
Baton Rouge, LAGrowing in Baton Rouge right now
- Baton Rouge's heavy clay subsoil drains slowly in our typical spring rains; amend planting holes with compost and mound beans like Bush Beans or Okra to prevent root rot.
- The city sits at the junction of river terraces, meaning low-lying areas near the East Bank levee retain moisture longer; ensure Yellow Summer Squash and Cucumbers have excellent air circulation to combat humidity-driven fungal issues.
- Our intense afternoon sun accelerates growth on crops like Malabar Spinach and Sweet Corn, so water deeply in the early morning to keep roots cool during our frequent heatwaves.
- Native soil often lacks organic matter despite its depth; incorporate aged compost before sowing Zinnias or Cosmos this week to boost nutrient retention for your pollinator garden.
Sow this week
26 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- 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 and pole beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch newly planted crops with organic matter to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot spells.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and oregano regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for bean leaf beetles and aphids on your Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Bean, as our humid spring conditions favor rapid infestation cycles.
- Southern blight can strike squash vines like Yellow Summer Squash; inspect lower leaves immediately if you notice wilting despite moist soil.
- Thrips may be active on Zinnias and French Marigolds, causing silvering of new growth in our current temperature range.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvested okra pods should be picked daily when young to prevent them from becoming tough and fibrous quickly.
Baton Rouge gardening questions
3Can I still start Okra seeds indoors now, or should they go straight into the ground?
In Baton Rouge's Zone 9a climate, Okra is heat-loving and thrives better when sown directly outdoors this week rather than being transplanted. Since our last frost date was Feb 6, the soil temperature is warm enough to support germination without a hardening-off period.
Should I prune my Bush Beans or let them run on trellises this week?
Since Bush Beans are listed for immediate harvest and often bolt in Baton Rouge's heat after a few weeks of heavy picking, keep the plants lightly trimmed to encourage side shoots rather than letting them climb excessively tall.
Is it safe to harvest Garlic now since it's listed for 'soon' despite being a winter crop?
Yes, in Louisiana zones where garlic is planted in late fall, bulbs often mature and begin drying down by early spring, signaling they are ready to pull even before summer heat peaks.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Baton Rouge garden in SproutGuide →