Planting guide · zone 8a
When to plant okra in zone 8a
In zone 8a, the average last spring frost is Mar 25 and the first fall frost is Nov 12. Here is okra's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 8Direct 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.