When to Plant Okra in Racine County, WI
Your April gardening checklist
Here's what deserves your attention in Racine County, Wisconsin this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.
May prep starts now
- Transplants going out: okra
- Direct-sowing: 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.
Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.
At an elevation of 513 feet, Racine County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Okra to ensure they mature before fall.
Racine County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.9
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 Racine County
How your county's soil matches Okra's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Okra's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Racine County is excellent for Okra — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Okra will thrive.
How to Plant Okra
Succession Planting Okra
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 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 | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.9" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.9" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 3.8" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 3.5" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 2.6" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Racine 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 — Racine County, WI
Okra Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 1 | May 1 – May 22 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Aug 28 |
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 · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
172 days in Racine County
Growing Tips for Okra in Racine County
Direct sow Okra outdoors after April 24 in Racine 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 Racine County, WI?
Racine County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Okra planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Racine County, WI?
Racine County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 13.
Your Racine County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Racine County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.