Blog

When to Plant Okra in Ottawa County, OK

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.

Ottawa County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 716 feet, Ottawa County receives approximately 29.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season.

Ottawa County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Ottawa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Okra to Grow

2-3 lbs
Average yield per plant
4
Plants per person
8 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 16 okra plants in about 32 sq ft. In Ottawa County's 200-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Okra

Okra needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Okra Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ottawa County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Okra Planting Timeline — Ottawa County, OK

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Ottawa County

Growing Tips for Ottawa 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Okra in Ottawa County, OK?

Ottawa County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ottawa County, OK?

Ottawa County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Ottawa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ottawa County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Ottawa County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.