Okra in Zone 7a & 7b
Abelmoschus esculentus
Yes, okra grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Mar 13–Mar 20 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant okra in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 13–Mar 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 21–Jun 28 (~58 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-6 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of okra in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 24
- ZucchiniApr 17–Apr 24
- Winter SquashApr 17–Apr 24
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 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Okra needs about 58 days from sowing to first harvest.
Okra planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
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 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Okra in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest