Okra planting calendar for USDA Zone 9b

Orlando, Tampa, San Antonio, southern LA coast. Average last spring frost February 5, first fall frost December 15 — a 313-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Okra is well suited to Zone 9b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Direct-seed outdoors
February 19 – March 12
Expected first harvest
April 27 – May 25

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 9b

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 9b

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.