Sure, spring in New Orleans means second lines and crawfish boils, but for plenty of locals, it also means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get planting. Thanks to our subtropical climate, New Orleans spring gardening offers a long growing season and a rich variety of plants to choose from. Whether you’re planting a balcony herb garden in the French Quarter or filling raised beds in Gentilly, now is the time to make your garden bloom.
Here’s a guide to choosing the best herbs, vegetables, and flowers for New Orleans this spring, plus some tips on avoiding pests and welcoming vital pollinators into your green space.
Herbs That Thrive in New Orleans
New Orleans’ heat and humidity can be brutal for people, but ideal for herbs like these.
-
Basil: This New Orleans staple grows fast with full sun and moist soil. Pinch off the flower buds early to keep the leaves coming.
-
Rosemary: A tough herb that can withstand heat and even drought once established. Plant it in a sunny, well-drained spot.
-
Thyme: Thrives when it’s not too wet. Great for container gardening.
-
Mint: Grows almost too well—consider planting it in a pot to keep it from taking over.
-
Oregano: Loves New Orleans’ heat and will sprawl into a lush groundcover if you let it.
Plant your herbs in well-draining soil and give them plenty of sun. If you’re short on yard space, they do beautifully in pots or raised beds.
Best Vegetables to Plant
Want fresh veggies all season? Try planting a little every couple weeks so everything doesn’t come in all at once.
-
Tomatoes: Start them early before the real heat of summer hits. Look for varieties like ‘Celebrity’ or ‘Better Boy’ that perform well in the Gulf South.
-
Bell Peppers: Like tomatoes, peppers love sun and warmth but need consistent watering.
-
Cucumbers: Easy growers—just make sure they have something to climb.
-
Eggplant: A summer warrior that thrives here, especially varieties like ‘Black Beauty.’
-
Squash and Zucchini: Quick to mature and very productive. Just keep an eye out for squash vine borers (more on that in a moment).
-
Okra: Once the weather warms fully, okra will take off and grow like wildfire.
For best results, stagger your planting a little so you can harvest continuously into the summer.
Flowers That Flourish
Flowers bring color to your garden, sure—but they also feed the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that keep everything else growing.
-
Zinnias: Bright, cheerful, and nearly foolproof.
-
Marigolds: Natural pest deterrents, plus they add vibrant color.
-
Sunflowers: These Southern favorites are easy to grow and beloved by pollinators.
-
Cosmos: Drought-tolerant and perfect for wild, informal gardens.
-
Black-Eyed Susans: They stand up to heat and humidity and return year after year.
Mixing flowers into your vegetable beds helps keep the ecosystem balanced and supports healthy harvests.
Pests to Watch Out For—and How to Beat Them
The same heat that makes your tomatoes thrive also brings out the bugs. And down here, they show up hungry.
-
Aphids: These tiny bugs can suck the life out of tender plants. Spray aphids off with water, or if you want to go the natural route, release some ladybugs into your garden—they’ll handle the cleanup.
-
Squash Vine Borers: These larvae can devastate your squash and zucchini. Use row covers early in the season and inspect stems frequently for small holes or sawdust-like residue.
-
Caterpillars: While some are future butterflies, others, like tomato hornworms, can decimate your plants. Handpick them or use an organic pesticide like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
-
Fungal Diseases: Powdery mildew and root rot thrive in humidity. Space your plants well, water in the morning, and use mulch to keep soil moisture balanced.
Whenever possible, opt for organic or natural pest control methods to protect the delicate balance of your garden’s ecosystem.
Attracting Pollinators: Make Your Garden a Destination
If you want your garden to really thrive, you’ll need help from bees, butterflies, and birds. Here’s how to make them feel at home.
-
Plant Native Flowers: Louisiana native plants like purple coneflower, milkweed, and swamp sunflower are especially attractive to bees and butterflies.
-
Avoid Pesticides: If you must use them, do so very early or very late in the day when pollinators aren’t active.
-
Provide Water: A shallow dish with pebbles and water can give bees and butterflies a place to drink.
-
Grow in Clusters: Big clumps of the same flower species are more noticeable and appealing to pollinators than a few scattered plants.
By creating a garden that welcomes bees, butterflies, and birds, you’re helping support a broader ecosystem that benefits your whole neighborhood.
Spring Into Gardening
New Orleans offers one of the richest gardening environments in the country. With a little planning, you can grow a lush, thriving garden filled with flavorful herbs, fresh vegetables, and brilliant flowers. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to support pollinators and keep our city buzzing with life.
Whether you’re working with a backyard, a balcony, or just a few pots, this is the season to dig in and grow something great.
