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When to Plant Okra in Mohave County, AZ

Okra is a heat-loving tropical plant that produces edible seed pods. It thrives in hot summers and produces beautiful hibiscus-like flowers before setting pods.

Mohave County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 3,748 feet, Mohave County receives approximately 8.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Okra may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Okra will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Okra successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Mohave County, AZ (Zone 8b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Mohave County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,645 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Okra needs ~1,265 GDD — county provides 4,774 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Mohave County, AZ

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 9

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Mohave County

Direct sow after soil reaches 65F. Soak seeds overnight to improve germination. Harvest pods when 2-4 inches long and still tender; they become tough if left too long.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Okra in Mohave County, AZ?

Mohave County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mohave County, AZ?

Mohave County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mohave County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mohave County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.