Okra is a warm-weather loving vegetable that produces edible green pods. Its adaptability to hot and humid climates makes it a staple in Southern gardens and cuisines. However okra can be tricky to grow successfully, especially when it comes to timing. Plant too early and seeds may rot in cool soil. Plant too late, and your harvest will be small before the first fall frost hits. So when is it too late to plant okra in your garden?
As an experienced okra grower, I’ve learned that okra planting time is critical Follow optimal timing for your region, and you’ll be rewarded with abundant okra all summer long. In this article, I’ll share tips on
- Ideal soil temperature for okra germination
- Recommended planting dates by growing zone
- Signs it’s too late for a productive okra crop
- Using transplants to sneak in a late okra harvest
Let’s dig into the details so you can enjoy fresh okra from your garden!
Okra Needs Warm Soil Temperatures to Thrive
Okra originates from Africa, so it thrives in hot, humid climates similar to its tropical homeland. Daytime temperatures of 85-90°F and nighttime lows above 60°F are ideal.
However, the most important factor determining okra’s planting time is soil temperature. Okra seeds require soil temperatures of at least 65-70°F to germinate well. In cooler soils, seeds will be slow to sprout, rot, or fail to emerge.
The basic rule is to plant okra after a string of days bringing soil temperatures to 65°F or above at a 2-inch depth. Read on for optimal planting dates tailored to your growing zone.
Recommended Okra Planting Dates by Growing Zone
Use these planting windows as a guide for your region:
Deep South
- Louisiana: March 15-July 1
- Alabama: April 1-July 15
- Mississippi: April 1-July 4
- Georgia: April 1-July 15
- South Carolina: April 10-July 4
- North Florida: March 20-July 4
Mid South
- Arkansas: April 15-June 15
- Tennessee: April 15-July 1
- North Carolina: April 20-July 1
- Virginia: May 1-July 4
South Central
- Texas: April 1-August 1
- Oklahoma: May 1-July 1
Desert Southwest
- New Mexico: May 1-June 15
- Arizona: March 15-May 1
These dates indicate when soil temperatures in your area should be warm enough for okra germination. Use a soil thermometer to check your garden’s temperature to confirm it’s ready for okra. Some microclimates warm faster than others.
I recommend waiting 2 weeks past the earliest planting date for your zone to sow okra. This buffers against any cool spells that could stall germination. A little patience pays off!
Signs It’s Too Late to Plant Okra This Season
Wondering if you’ve missed the window for planting okra in your summer garden? Here are signs it’s too late:
- Daytime highs consistently below 80°F
- Nighttime temperatures dropping below 55°F
- First fall frost date for your area is 6-8 weeks away
- Soil temperatures stuck under 65°F
When cooler weather starts creeping in as summer winds down, existing okra plants will start producing smaller pods and become more prone to pests and diseases.
At this point, it’s best to pull up fading okra plants to improve conditions for other heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Focus your efforts on maximizing harvests from them before frost hits.
But if your summer garden still looks bare, read on for a late planting option…
Use Transplants for a Late Okra Harvest
While direct sowing okra seeds is too risky late in the season, you can still plant fast-maturing okra transplants through early August.
Look for stocky, 6-inch tall okra seedlings at your local nursery or garden center. Opt for quick-growing varieties that produce pods in 50-60 days from transplanting. ‘Annie Oakley II’, ‘Cajun Delight’, and ‘Emerald’ are good choices.
Space transplants 18-24 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Water deeply after planting and feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer to fuel pod production.
With this approach, you can sneak in a small late okra harvest before frost halts growth. Pick pods promptly every other day once they reach harvest size.
Closely monitor weather forecasts and be ready to protect plants with row covers or sheets if an early cold snap threatens.
Growing a Productive Okra Crop
Beyond optimal timing, follow these tips to keep your okra plants happy and productive:
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Prepare soil with aged compost or organic matter to improve drainage and nutrition.
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Wait until soil warms to 65°F before planting.
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Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, 4 inches apart.
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Water evenly to keep soil moist but not saturated.
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Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Prune tall plants to promote bushy growth.
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Check for pests like aphids, beetles, and earworms weekly.
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Harvest pods when 2-4 inches long using a sharp knife.
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Pick every other day to encourage continuous pod production.
When okra is planted and maintained at the right times, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant harvest. Avoid disappointment by following the ideal planting dates and soil temperatures for your growing zone. A little planning goes a long way with heat-loving okra.
Timing is everything when it comes to planting okra. Follow the recommended planting dates for your region based on soil temperatures. Wait until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F before sowing seeds or transplanting. Be on the lookout for signs it’s too late, like cooling weather and frost dates quickly approaching. With the right timing, you can enjoy a prolific harvest of okra all summer long.
Okra – Abelmoscfus esculentus
Okra is a tall-growing, warm-season annual that is well adapted to a wide range of soil types. Its actual origin is disputed to be either from South Asia or from western Africa and Ethiopia. It is a member of the mallow family, which also has hibiscus and cotton as members. Okra is called lady’s fingers or gumbo in other areas of the world. No matter where it originated, it is grown throughout tropical Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and southern United States. Okra was mentioned by Thomas Jefferson and grown in the vegetable gardens at Monticello. An heirloom cultivar, ‘Cow’s Horn,’ may be very similar to the ones he grew.
The immature pods can be used as a fried or boiled vegetable in soups and stews. Okra is processed as a frozen, pickled or canned product. For more information on cooking okra, visit our okra cooking page.
The hibiscus-like flowers and upright plants (4 to 6 feet in height) have ornamental value for backyard gardens. A close examination of the flowers reveals a similarity to cotton, a close relative.
Cultural Practices Planting Time
In the spring, plant okra seeds after all danger of frost, when the soil has warmed to 62 degrees F and about 10 days after tomatoes are transplanted. This is April 10-15 in southern Arkansas, April 15-21 in central Arkansas and April 21-May 5 in northern Arkansas and at the higher elevations. Short day length, less than 11 hours, promotes flowering in most cultivars. Okra planted too late in the spring may remain vegetative until late summer or early fall. The cultivar ‘Clemson Spineless’ is less sensitive to day length. Transplants of okra can be started four to six weeks prior to direct seeding in the garden. This will allow early and continued production.
Sandra Reaves: Not too late to plant okra
FAQ
What’s the latest you can plant okra?
Okra is a warm season plant that cannot tolerate frosts, freezes, or even cool nights. It thrives on heat so should be planted well after the last frost each year, generally April-May in East Texas, but as late as July 4. Okra is easily planted from seed.
Why is okra so hard to grow?
Okra is a hot weather vegge so may be difficult to grow so far north (just a guess). It needs much warmer soil temps to thrive then most other veggies so even the soil temp of the seedlings will need to be warmer. It thrives in the high heat of summer, prefers drier soil, and is a big feeder.
Can okra be planted in July?
Okra can be seeded into the garden as late as July and still produce a good late-summer crop. Soaking okra seeds in hot water overnight can help speed the germination process, but it is not critical.
Is it too late to plant squash in June?
For Zones 3-5 and 6 depending on weather, green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in June, and will produce a great summer crop of fresh, crisp peas. Summer Squash (Zones 3-10): Summer squash sowing in June will lead to the perfect fresh squash and zucchini in July and August.
When should I plant okra?
Plants like it when nights are at least in the 60s and days 85 or warmer. In the North, gardeners might wait until late June to plant, since pods appear within 2 months. Okra grows best in soil with a near-neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.0, although it will do fine in a pH as high as 7.6.
Can okra grow too early?
Timing is everything when it comes to growing okra. Plant it too early, and the seeds may rot in the cool soil before they even get a chance to sprout. Plant it too late, and your harvest might be cut short before the pods fully develop. Okra thrives in warm weather. It loves the heat and refuses to grow well in cold conditions.
Can okra survive frost?
Okra are not able to survive frost or cold weather under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you plant them outside too early in the spring they will die. And if you plant them too late, your Okra won’t produce a harvest before the first frost arrives in the fall. Today, I’m going to teach you the ideal time to plant Okra in Hardiness Zone 7.
Can you plant okra outside?
Planting Okra is not as easy as it seems. Here’s why: Okra are not able to survive frost or cold weather under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you plant them outside too early in the spring they will die. And if you plant them too late, your Okra won’t produce a harvest before the first frost arrives in the fall.
Can you grow okra in a vegetable garden?
Many gardeners do not consider growing okra when planning the vegetable garden. However, these plants are just as easy to plant, grow, and care for as any other. How long does okra take to grow? The plants produce tasty okra pods for up to twelve weeks at the end of the okra growing season.
Can okra grow in cold weather?
A Guide to Okra Planting Timing Okra is a delicious summer veggie that’s essential for Southern classics like gumbo, fried okra, and pickled okra. Its pretty flowers and unique seed pods add visual interest to the garden too But okra can be tricky to grow It loves heat and won’t tolerate cold soils or frost.