Well, those are tough questions to answer :)

Baton Rouge is mostly flat, but there are some areas that are hilly. The soil depends on where you are (or so I've been told by our ag center) - I'm east of Baton Rouge by about 1 mile (as the crow flies) and I have some areas of good soil, and some areas of clay. I've been mostly doing raised beds for my roses, but all the stuff that was here when we bought the house is thriving, and it is directly in the ground.

Rainfall is another story. We've had several years of drought, but we seem to be back into our "normal" pattern of afternoon showers at least several times a week.

Now, aren't you glad you asked??? I'm sure others from the area will chime in with their views too. All in all, I like living here. Let me know if you get serious about the move - I'd love to have another antique rose grower nearby :)))

Janet

The Highland Road area from the interstate to the LSU campus has some lovely rolling hills and still has a lot of open space with nice trees and waterways.
The soil is wonderful and anything and everything grows. When I lived there I had beautiful gardens.

Thanks Janet and Live Oak Lady. That's good to hear about the soil. There are many things I like about gardening in N.Carolina, but in my yard the soil is too sandy and drains too fast. So if we move it would be great if I could find a place with a more moisture retentive soil.
Husband is job hunting and has a nibble in Baton Rouge. We have lots of family in MS so that would be good too.

The soil here is generally clay, but a lot of neighbor hoods have improved soil. Some parts of Baton Rouge are swampy, so check your flood maps. A lot of the newer neighborhoods are really low. I have raised beds for my fussy roses and antique roses grow great in the clay soil. Irises and day lilies grow like weeds out here. You'll find lots of gardeners here willing to exchange plants and growing tips. We have several neat gardens in town.

Any word on the possible job in Baton Rouge? We'd love to have you down here :)

Janet,
The job didn't pan out but he has a few nibbles in NC. Am sure I would have enjoyed meeting the friendly people around Baton Rouge!
Thanks,
Linda