Planting guide · zone 6a
When to plant okra in zone 6a
In zone 6a, the average last spring frost is Apr 28 and the first fall frost is Oct 15. Here is okra's whole year, counted from those dates.
May 12Direct sowSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Any decent soil, as long as it's warm. Okra thrives in the heat that wilts everything else.
Seedling care
Soak seed overnight before sowing, and wait for soil above 70°F — cold soil stalls it for weeks.
Growing notes
The South's summer champion: it produces from July to frost without complaint. Wear sleeves when picking; the spines itch.
Harvest
Pods at 2–4 in, every single day. Oversized pods turn woody and tell the plant to quit.