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When to Plant Okra in Clackamas County, OR

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.

Clackamas County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 199 feet, Clackamas County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Okra root diseases.

Clackamas County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Clackamas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~791 GDD — county provides 2,708 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Clackamas County, OR

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 18

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 8a

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Clackamas 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 Clackamas County, OR?

Clackamas County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clackamas County, OR?

Clackamas County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clackamas County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Clackamas County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.