Okra in Zone 8a & 8b
Abelmoschus esculentus
Yes, okra grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 25–Mar 4 and plant out Apr 8–Apr 15.
When to plant okra in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 | Feb 25–Mar 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 5–Jun 12 (~58 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 5-6 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of okra in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- Sweet CornApr 1–Apr 8
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
- ZucchiniApr 1–Apr 8
- Winter SquashApr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Okra needs about 58 days from sowing to first harvest.
Okra planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b 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 (your zone) | 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 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Okra in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest