When to plant okra in Missouri
Missouri’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 18 — about 186 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Missouri's growing season.
When to plant okra in Missouri: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 22 – May 9, with seeds started indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18. 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 Missouri, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 4 – Mar 18). 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 22 – May 9). 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 18 – Jul 3). 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 Missouri’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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.
When to plant okra in nearby states
Questions gardeners in Missouri ask
When is the best time to plant okra in Missouri?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in Missouri between April 22 and May 9. That timing is set by Missouri's average last spring frost of April 15.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Missouri?
Start seeds indoors between March 4 and March 18, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 22.
What is the latest I can plant okra in Missouri?
About August 29. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around October 18 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in Missouri be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about June 18 to July 3, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Missouri?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 18 - about 186 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.