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When to Plant Okra in Windham County, VT

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.

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 1,164 feet, Windham County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.

Windham County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~834 GDD — county provides 2,146 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Windham County, VT

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 15

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

148 days

Growing Tips for Windham 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 Windham County, VT?

Windham County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windham County, VT?

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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