what to plant in the fall in south louisiana

Fall Gardening in South Louisiana: Best Plants to Grow Now

By Thomas AllenMarch 24, 2026

As the weather begins to cool in South Louisiana, it's the perfect time to start thinking about fall planting. The mild climate of the region allows for a wide variety of plants to thrive during the fall season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, understanding what to plant in the fall in South Louisiana can help you create a vibrant and healthy garden.

Fall is an ideal time to plant in South Louisiana due to the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. This allows plants to establish strong root systems before the stress of summer heat. Additionally, many plants are dormant during the fall, making it a great time to prepare your garden for the upcoming spring season. Let's dive into the best plants to consider for your fall garden in South Louisiana.

Cool-Season Vegetables

Cool-season vegetables are perfect for South Louisiana's fall climate. These plants thrive in cooler temperatures and can be harvested before the winter frost. Some popular cool-season vegetables to consider include:

Best Vegetables for a Louisiana Fall Garden

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Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale; root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and radishes; and brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Plant these vegetables in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade, especially in the hotter parts of the day.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are some of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in South Louisiana. They have a short growing season and can be harvested within a few weeks of planting. To maximize your harvest, consider succession planting by starting a new batch of seeds every two to three weeks.

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Some popular leafy greens for South Louisiana include:

Lettuce: 'Buttercrunch', 'Red Sails', and 'Black-Seeded Simpson'
Spinach: 'Bloomsdale' and 'Space'
Kale: 'Lacinato' and 'Red Russian'

Brassicas

Brassicas are a family of vegetables that include cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. These plants require more space and time to mature than leafy greens but are well worth the effort. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Some popular brassicas for South Louisiana include:

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Cabbage: 'Savoy Perfection' and 'Red Acre'
Broccoli: 'Calabrese' and 'Packman'
Cauliflower: 'Cheddar' and 'Snow Crown'

Warm-Season Vegetables

While fall is typically thought of as a time for cool-season vegetables, some warm-season vegetables can also be planted in the fall in South Louisiana. These plants will overwinter and provide an early harvest in the spring. Some examples include:

Peas, fava beans, and garlic. These plants prefer cooler temperatures and can be planted in late fall or early winter. They will germinate best in soil temperatures between 40°F and 60°F.

Peas

Peas are a great source of nitrogen for your garden and can be used as a cover crop to improve soil health. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Some popular pea varieties for South Louisiana include:

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'Sugar Snap' and 'Snow Pea' for their sweet, edible pods, and 'Austrian Winter' for its high yield and cold hardiness.

Garlic

Garlic is a low-maintenance plant that can be grown in a variety of soil types. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. To plant garlic, break apart the bulb into individual cloves and plant them pointy side up, about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.

Some popular garlic varieties for South Louisiana include:

'Softneck' varieties like 'California Early' and 'Inchelium Red'
'Hardneck' varieties like 'German Extra Hardy' and 'Music'

Fall is an exciting time for gardeners in South Louisiana, offering a wide variety of plants to choose from. By understanding what to plant in the fall, you can create a thriving garden that will provide fresh produce well into the spring. So get out there and start planting – your garden (and your taste buds) will thank you!