Blog

When to Plant Okra in Del Norte County, CA

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.

Del Norte County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 72 feet, Del Norte County receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season. 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.

Del Norte County, CA (Zone 8b) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Del Norte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 481 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~963 GDD — county provides 3,986 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Del Norte County, CA

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

238 days

Growing Tips for Del Norte 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 Del Norte County, CA?

Del Norte County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Del Norte County, CA?

Del Norte County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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