When to plant okra in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant okra in California: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 27 – Mar 16, with seeds started indoors Jan 9 – Jan 23. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow okra in California, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 9 – Jan 23). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 7-14 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 24 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Feb 27 – Mar 16). Space plants about 15 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, flea beetle, corn earworm, stink bug. Diseases and disorders: fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, root-knot nematode.
- Harvest (from about Apr 25 – May 10). Okra takes 50-65 days to reach harvest. Loves real heat and shrugs off drought once established. Soak seed overnight before sowing. Pick pods at 2-3 in every day or two or they turn woody and the plant slows.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use California’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the okra dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant okra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 6 – Feb 23 |
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant okra in California?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in California between February 27 and March 16. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in California?
Start seeds indoors between January 9 and January 23, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 27.
What is the latest I can plant okra in California?
About October 12. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around December 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about April 25 to May 10, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.