Blog

When to Plant Okra in Chase County, NE

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.

Chase County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Chase County receives approximately 29.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.

Chase County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Chase County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 358 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Okra needs ~834 GDD — county provides 2,276 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Chase County, NE

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 โ€“ Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

157 days

Growing Tips for Chase 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 Chase County, NE?

Chase County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chase County, NE?

Chase County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chase County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Chase County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.