By John Monzingo, Assistant County Agent
As daylight hours increase and temperatures begin to rise, many people are inspired to spend more time outdoors. Vegetable gardeners are no exception. This time of year, they begin preparing for the season by collecting soil samples, determining nutrient needs, and monitoring weather conditions to identify the optimal planting window for their crops.
Below are examples of warm-season vegetables commonly grown in Louisiana during the spring and summer months:
|
Plant |
Planting Dates |
How to Plant |
Spacing |
Days to Harvest |
|
Snap Beans |
3/15–5/15 |
Plant seeds ½ inch deep |
2–3 inches |
48–55 days |
|
Sweet Corn |
3/1–5/15 |
Plant seeds ½ inch deep |
10–12 inches |
69–92 days |
|
Watermelons |
3/15–6/30 |
Plant seeds ½ inch deep |
36–60 inches |
90–110 days |
|
Tomatoes |
3/20–6/30 |
Transplants 1 inch deep |
18–24 inches |
60–75 days |
|
Celery |
3/1–4/15 |
Transplants 1 inch deep |
18–24 inches |
60–120 days |
|
Peas |
4/15–7/31 |
Plant seeds ½ inch deep |
4–6 inches |
70–80 days |
|
Hot Peppers |
4/1–6/15 |
Tnsplants 1 inch deep |
12–18 inches |
70–80 days |
|
Bell Peppers |
4/1–5/30 |
Transplants 1 inch deep |
12–18 inches |
70–80 days |
|
Pumpkin |
6/15–7/10 |
Plant seeds ½ inch deep |
36–60 inches |
60–120 days |
|
Squash |
4/1–8/31 |
Transplants 1 inch deep |
24–36 inches |
50–90 days |
If you are concerned about not having enough room for a traditional in-ground garden, there are easy alternatives. Raised beds, window boxes, and even 5gallon buckets offer excellent options for growing many of the warm-season crops listed above. Numerous vegetable varieties perform well in container systems, making gardening accessible even in limited spaces.
This list is not exhaustive—these are simply a few of my personal favorites to grow each year. For additional recommendations on warm-season vegetables or variety selection, please contact John Monzingo at 3189273110 or 3183711371.
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Disclaimer
It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.