When to Plant Popcorn in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (70821)

Location

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

ZIP Code

70821

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, February 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, March 6, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, February 20, 2026 · Zone 9a

Pro tip: Sow Popcorn directly outdoors 2 weeks after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Zea mays everta

Days to Maturity 100 days

Mature Height 48-84"

Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-10 days

Ready to Plant Popcorn in Baton Rouge?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, March 6, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeanSquashCucumber

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

TomatoSweet Corn (cross-pollination)

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Popcorn

See which plants help Popcorn thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let ears dry completely on the stalk past frost. Kernels should be rock-hard before harvesting.

Processing

Husk dried ears, shell kernels, cure 6–8 weeks in a warm, ventilated space before sealing in containers.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Wind-pollinated — requires 1000-foot isolation from sweet corn and other corn types. Under-dried popcorn won't pop.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Popcorn. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Popcorn in Baton Rouge, Louisiana? +

In Baton Rouge (Zone 9a), direct sow Popcorn outdoors around Friday, March 6, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Baton Rouge, Louisiana? +

The average last spring frost date for Baton Rouge, Louisiana (ZIP 70821) is around Friday, February 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9a.

How long does Popcorn take to grow? +

Popcorn typically matures in about 100 days from direct sowing. In Baton Rouge, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, March 6, 2026 plus 100 days.

Should I start Popcorn indoors or direct sow in Louisiana? +

Popcorn does best when direct sown outdoors. In Baton Rouge, sow directly around Friday, March 6, 2026.

📚 More Popcorn Planting Guides

🗺️

Popcorn in Louisiana

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9a Popcorn Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Popcorn in Zone 9a

Popcorn (Zea mays everta) is a popular garden vegetable. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, March 6, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, February 20, 2026. Popcorn grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.