When to plant okra
Direct-sow okra 3 weeks after your last spring frost.. Enter your ZIP below for exact dates.
The rule
Direct-sow or set out 2–4 weeks after the last frost. [src]Cited: Johnny's Selected Seeds — Seed-Starting Date Calculator chart
Start indoors 4–6 weeks before setting out. [src]Cited: Johnny's Selected Seeds — Seed-Starting Date Calculator chart
Days to maturity: 55–65 days [src]
Method: Start indoors or direct-sow. Frost tolerance: frost-tender (derived from the planting timing above).
Okra is frost-tender; it's grown as a spring/summer crop.
Okra planting dates by hardiness zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 10a | December 25 – January 8 | January 29 – February 12 | — |
| Zone 10b | December 30 – January 13 | February 3 – February 17 | — |
| Zone 2a | April 26 – May 10 | May 31 – June 14 | — |
| Zone 2b | May 4 – May 18 | June 8 – June 22 | — |
| Zone 3b | April 29 – May 13 | June 3 – June 17 | — |
| Zone 4a | April 23 – May 7 | May 28 – June 11 | — |
| Zone 4b | April 19 – May 3 | May 24 – June 7 | — |
| Zone 5a | April 21 – May 5 | May 26 – June 9 | — |
| Zone 5b | April 13 – April 27 | May 18 – June 1 | — |
| Zone 6a | April 9 – April 23 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Zone 6b | April 2 – April 16 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Zone 7a | March 25 – April 8 | April 29 – May 13 | — |
| Zone 7b | March 16 – March 30 | April 20 – May 4 | — |
| Zone 8a | March 5 – March 19 | April 9 – April 23 | — |
| Zone 8b | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Zone 9a | February 9 – February 23 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Zone 9b | January 12 – January 26 | February 16 – March 2 | — |
What you'll need
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Last verified 2026-07-16. Sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds — Seed-Starting Date Calculator chart; University of Georgia Extension (days to maturity); NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals (frost); USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map.