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When to Plant Okra in Marion County, TX

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.

Marion County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 393 feet, Marion County receives approximately 72 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Okra during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Okra will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Okra root diseases.

Marion County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

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 Marion County's 246-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Okra Planting Timeline — Marion County, TX

Okra Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

246 days in Marion County

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, TX?

Marion County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, TX?

Marion County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Marion County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marion County (Zone 8b). 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 Marion County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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