Okra in Zone 10a & 10b
Abelmoschus esculentus
Yes, okra grows in zones 10a and 10b. Start seeds indoors in Feb–May and plant out in Mar–Jun.
When to plant okra in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. In your zone it needs a head start on the heat that direct-sowing elsewhere doesn't require.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Feb–May |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar–Jun |
| Estimated harvest | ~58 days after transplanting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-6 ft.
Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of okra in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bush BeansMar–Apr
- Winter SquashMar
- Edamame (Soybean)Mar–Apr
- EggplantMar–Apr
- PeanutMar–Apr
- PumpkinMar
Okra thrives in exactly the conditions that shut down cooler-season crops: intense heat, and plenty of it. Where lettuce bolts and beans stall, okra keeps flowering and setting pods, making it one of the few reliable producers during the hottest weeks of summer.
How okra fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Okra needs about 58 days from sowing to first harvest.
Okra planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a & 6b | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 13–Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 21–Jun 28 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 5–Jun 12 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 18–Jan 25 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Apr 28–May 5 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window (your zone) | Feb–May | Mar–Jun | ~58 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | Not usually | Aug–Oct | ~58 days after planting |
Harvest dates are about 58 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Bell Pepper: Similar heat and water needs make them easy bed-mates.
- Basil: Reputed to repel aphids that also target okra, though this specific pairing hasn't been tested: the closest controlled trial found no pest-reduction benefit from basil on a related crop, so treat this as unproven garden tradition.
Where to buy okra seeds
Botanical Interests · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's okra seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Clemson Spineless: Listed as a suggested home-garden variety by University of Georgia Extension, an open-pollinated, spineless standard with dark green pods, and the most widely available starting point for first-time okra growers. Buy: Burpee Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing okra" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Okra in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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