When to plant okra in Delaware
Delaware’s average last spring frost is April 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 22 — about 191 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Delaware's growing season.
When to plant okra in Delaware: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 21 – May 8, with seeds started indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17. 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 Delaware, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 3 – Mar 17). 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 (Apr 21 – May 8). 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 Jun 17 – Jul 2). 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 Delaware’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
When to plant okra in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware (this page) | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 8 – May 25 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 21 – May 8 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 12 – May 29 |
Questions gardeners in Delaware ask
When is the best time to plant okra in Delaware?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in Delaware between April 21 and May 8. That timing is set by Delaware's average last spring frost of April 14.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Delaware?
Start seeds indoors between March 3 and March 17, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 21.
What is the latest I can plant okra in Delaware?
About September 2. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around October 22 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in Delaware be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about June 17 to July 2, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Delaware?
On average around April 14, with the first fall frost around October 22 - about 191 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.