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When to Plant Okra in Okanogan County, WA

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.

Okanogan County, Washington is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 3,788 feet, Okanogan County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Okra to ensure they mature before fall.

Okanogan County, WA (Zone 5b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Okanogan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 777 gal / 100 sq ft
Okra needs ~704 GDD — county provides 1,666 GDD Excellent fit

Okra Planting Timeline โ€” Okanogan County, WA

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 10
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jun 10
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
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 5b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Okanogan 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 Okanogan County, WA?

Okanogan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okanogan County, WA?

Okanogan County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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