When to Plant Okra in Wells County, IN
Your May planting checklist for Wells County, Indiana
May is a pivotal month for Wells County, Indiana gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Move okra from tray to bed
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Seed okra outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: okra
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.
Wells County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.
At an elevation of 1,181 feet, Wells County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.
Wells County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Wells County
How your county's soil matches Okra's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–6.8) is within Okra's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Wells County is excellent for Okra — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Okra.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Okra will thrive.
How to Plant Okra
Succession Planting Okra
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Okra
Okra needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Okra Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.9" | 2.7" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.9" | 3.3" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 3.3" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.9" | 3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 2.4" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 2.5" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wells County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Okra Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Okra Planting Timeline — Wells County, IN
Okra Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | July 4 | Jul 4 – Aug 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
50–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
175 days in Wells County
Growing Tips for Okra in Wells County
Direct sow Okra outdoors after April 25 in Wells County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Okra in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Okra in Wells County, IN?
Wells County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wells County, IN?
Wells County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Wells County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wells County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.