When to plant okra in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s average last spring frost is May 13, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 135 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Hampshire's growing season.
When to plant okra in New Hampshire: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 20 – Jun 6, with seeds started indoors Apr 1 – Apr 15. 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 New Hampshire, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 1 – Apr 15). 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 (May 20 – Jun 6). 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 Jul 16 – Jul 31). 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 New Hampshire’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in New Hampshire
New Hampshire spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire (this page) | May 13 | May 20 – Jun 6 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 21 – Jun 7 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 21 – Jun 7 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | May 2 – May 19 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | May 2 – May 19 |
| New York | May 1 | May 8 – May 25 |
Questions gardeners in New Hampshire ask
When is the best time to plant okra in New Hampshire?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in New Hampshire between May 20 and June 6. That timing is set by New Hampshire's average last spring frost of May 13.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in New Hampshire?
Start seeds indoors between April 1 and April 15, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 20.
What is the latest I can plant okra in New Hampshire?
About August 6. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around September 25 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in New Hampshire be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about July 16 to July 31, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in New Hampshire?
On average around May 13, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 135 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.