When to plant okra in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s average last spring frost is April 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 214 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Oklahoma's growing season.
When to plant okra in Oklahoma: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 8 – Apr 25, with seeds started indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4. 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 Oklahoma, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 18 – Mar 4). 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 8 – Apr 25). 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 4 – Jun 19). 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 Oklahoma’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in Oklahoma
Oklahoma spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma (this page) | April 1 | Apr 8 – Apr 25 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | May 22 – Jun 8 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Nebraska | April 30 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
Questions gardeners in Oklahoma ask
When is the best time to plant okra in Oklahoma?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in Oklahoma between April 8 and April 25. That timing is set by Oklahoma's average last spring frost of April 1.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Oklahoma?
Start seeds indoors between February 18 and March 4, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 8.
What is the latest I can plant okra in Oklahoma?
About September 12. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in Oklahoma be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about June 4 to June 19, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Oklahoma?
On average around April 1, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 214 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.