What to plant in July in Louisiana
In Louisiana (LA), July is the heart of the growing season - about 19 weeks after the last frost (March 5) and 18 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).
11 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga.
Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Louisiana.
Louisiana: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Louisiana's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Sprouts | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Opens Jul 16 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Opens Jul 30 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jul 2 and Jul 23
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 2 and Jul 30
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 2
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 2
- Basil: sow again on Jul 2 and Jul 23
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jul 2
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 9
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 2
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 2
Harvesting in July
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Louisiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Louisiana
- Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
- 18 weeks until the average first frost (November 15). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: leek, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Louisiana in July?
11 crops have a window in July: brussels sprouts, rutabaga and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Louisiana in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Louisiana in July?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Louisiana the next lettuce window opens around September 10: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Louisiana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Louisiana in July?
From plantings made on time: leek, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery, celeriac, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from Louisiana’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.