The days of summer are coming up quickly, and there is much to do around the city of Baton Rouge. Gardening has become an increasingly popular activity among students and locals. Unsure of where to start? Lucky you, here is a complete guide for you to follow:

Gardening is a great way to get outside, be in nature and grow nutritious food. When taking care of your plants and enjoying the outdoors, remember to also take care of yourself. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and be sure to have water handy. Many crops are harvested and planted in the summer months, so be ready to have a green thumb by the time fall semester begins.

For those staying in apartments this summer, unable to curate a full garden, don’t lose hope. You can still garden. Good options include compact herbs like basil and thyme, as well as vegetables like carrots and tomatoes. The herbs can be planted in containers, thriving in warm sunny spots. The vegetables can be grown in pots on a balcony or window sills, perfect for your apartment. You can also plant leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach or kale. They grow quickly and need minimal space.

When seed planting, the best summer crops for this Baton Rouge heat include cucumbers, squash, okra, beans and carrots. For planting directly, prepare to embed the seed into garden soil or into containers with a suitable potting mix. Make sure to space each of your crops at least 3 feet apart from each other.

Beans

Ensure soil or potting mix is well-drained and loose, placing them into a container with good drainage holes. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing seeds 4 to 6 inches apart. Thriving in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. For a continuous harvest, plant new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks until midsummer. Soaking seeds overnight in water can speed up germination.

Carrots

They need well-drained, loose and rocky soil. They should be planted a fourth inch deep and spaced about 1 to 2 inches apart. Place them in a container or raised bed.

Cucumbers

Use well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Place in a sunny sheltered spot, 4 to 6 feet apart if not trellised, or 12 inches apart if trellised, which is just the thing that helps train the plant to grow where you want it. You can use a large container (18 inches in diameter) to plant them in.

Tomatoes

Use a blend of garden soil and potting mix, place into a container (18 inches in diameter) or straight into the ground. Make sure the soil is well-draining, and if using a container, make sure it has drainage holes to prevent root rot. Once sprouted, tomatoes should be caged or staked to provide support for large, heavy fruit. Pro-tip: Tomato plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Companion plants include basil, marigolds or chives.

Speaking of marigolds, they make the perfect flower for summer planting, thriving in hot, humid conditions. They are known for their vibrant color and ability to tolerate this Louisiana summer heat. Hibiscus is also a great addition to your garden, particularly tropical hibiscus that is wonderful at tolerating heat. They are better off planted in late spring or early summer, so grab a hibiscus plant after finals week to either congratulate you or cheer you up.

Some more flower options include zinnias, angelonia, blue daze, pentas, roses, vinca (periwinkle), super/wave petunias and daylilies.

Some more practical tips when gardening this summer include remembering that warmer temperatures means you’ll need to water more frequently, especially your new plantings. Pay close attention to the amount of sunlight each plant needs. Look into which plants might need fertilizing.

Don’t forget the most important things to a successful garden this summer: a container with holes for optimal drainage, seeds, flowers, potting mix, source of water, like a hose or watering pail and access to sunlight.

It is quite an easy list to check off, so pick up a new hobby and start planting. Make sure this summer in Baton Rouge can be one to remember.