Okra planting calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Wilmington NC, Columbia SC, Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk. Average last spring frost March 28, first fall frost November 5 — a 222-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Okra is well suited to Zone 8a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors
April 11 – May 2
Expected first harvest
June 17 – July 15

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
12″
Row spacing
36″
Seed depth
1″
Soil temperature
75–95°F
Frost tolerance
tender
Days to harvest
60 days

Grower notes for Zone 8a

Soak seed overnight to speed germination. Harvest pods at 3–4 inches every other day or they turn woody.

Plant near: peppers, basil

Other cucurbits for Zone 8a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.