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When to Plant Okra in King William County, VA

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.

King William County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 110 feet, King William County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.

King William County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

King William County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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 348 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~1,179 GDD — county provides 4,305 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” King William County, VA

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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 7a

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for King William 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 King William County, VA?

King William County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is King William County, VA?

King William County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help King William County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 King William County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.