When to plant okra in Mississippi
Mississippi’s average last spring frost is March 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 230 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Mississippi's growing season.
When to plant okra in Mississippi: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 27 – Apr 13, with seeds started indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20. 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 Mississippi, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 6 – Feb 20). 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 (Mar 27 – Apr 13). 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 May 23 – Jun 7). 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 Mississippi’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Mississippi ask
When is the best time to plant okra in Mississippi?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in Mississippi between March 27 and April 13. That timing is set by Mississippi's average last spring frost of March 20.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Mississippi?
Start seeds indoors between February 6 and February 20, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 27.
What is the latest I can plant okra in Mississippi?
About September 16. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around November 5 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in Mississippi be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about May 23 to June 7, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
On average around March 20, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 230 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.