When to plant okra in Washington
Washington’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Okra needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Washington's growing season.
Washington covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant okra in Washington: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 27 – May 14, with seeds started indoors Mar 9 – Mar 23. 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 Washington, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 9 – Mar 23). 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 27 – May 14). 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 23 – Jul 8). 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 Washington’s average frost dates. More in the full okra growing guide.
Okra planting dates by USDA zone in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant okra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
When to plant okra in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (this page) | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
| Oregon | April 20 | Apr 27 – May 14 |
Questions gardeners in Washington ask
When is the best time to plant okra in Washington?
Plant okra transplants outdoors in Washington between April 27 and May 14. That timing is set by Washington's average last spring frost of April 20; Washington spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Washington?
Start seeds indoors between March 9 and March 23, about 5 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 27.
What is the latest I can plant okra in Washington?
About August 26. Okra needs at least 50 days to mature, and frost around October 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will okra planted in Washington be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, okra is usually ready from about June 23 to July 8, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Washington?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.