Warm-Season Vegetable Gardening
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 Transplants 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.