What to plant this week in Shreveport, LA
With average last frost dates hovering around March 1st, Shreveport gardeners are in the thick of spring's rapid transition into early summer heat. While the ground is still workable for cool-season wrap-ups, this week marks a critical window to sow warm-weather staples like okra and bush beans before temperatures climb too high.
The next 7 days
Shreveport, LAGrowing in Shreveport right now
- The Red River basin often brings heavy clay soil that stays wet longer; amend beds with compost or plant in raised mounds to prevent root rot during spring rains.
- Be prepared for late-season cold snaps in April despite the 8b rating, so protect young transplants of Malabar Spinach and Bush Beans with frost cloth if temps dip near 15°F.
- Take advantage of Shreveport's long growing season by planting heat-loving crops like Yellow Summer Squash and Cucumbers now for a robust summer harvest.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- 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 and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Thin out dense seedlings of zucchini and yellow summer squash to prevent overcrowding.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around established crops to retain soil moisture as summer heat builds.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for spider mites on Zinnias and Marigolds as humidity drops in April, causing stippling leaves that weaken plants before the main pest wave.
- Monitor bean varieties (Bush, Pole, and Scarlet Runner) closely for early aphid colonies that can spread rapidly in our humid subtropical air.
- Check the undersides of Okra leaves for leafhopper damage, which can stunt growth if not treated with insecticidal soap early.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk during hot days.
Harvest watermelons when they produce a hollow sound upon tapping, indicating full ripeness.
Shreveport gardening questions
3Can I still start tomatoes indoors now or is it too late?
It's best to wait until mid-April when soil temperatures reliably exceed 60°F before transplanting tomatoes. Starting them now in pots is possible, but they will likely need an extra week of hardening off after the last frost date.
What should I do if my Melon or Watermelon vines get leggy?
Prune back any excessively long runners and ensure your plants are getting at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Shreveport's intense afternoon sun can sometimes scorch young leaves, so temporary shade cloth might help until they acclimate.
Is it safe to harvest Garlic now even though the weather is warming up?
Yes, you can begin lifting garlic bulbs when the tops start to yellow and fall over naturally. Cure them in a dry, airy spot out of direct sun for two weeks before storing, as Shreveport's humidity requires careful drying to prevent mold.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Shreveport garden in SproutGuide →