When to plant okra in Billings, Montana

June 9 – June 23

Transplant outdoors · typical Billings year

Climate basis: NOAA station Billings Wtp, MT (USC00240802), 13 mi (21 km) from downtown Billings (ZCTA 59101 centroid), elevation 3097 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant okra outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 10). One year in ten still freezes after May 24.

Last spring freezeMay 101-in-10 after May 24

First fall freezeOctober 11-in-10 before Sep 19

Frost-free season≈ 142 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 27 – Oct 12kills even hardy greens

USDA zone5a-20 to -15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Billings year

Start seeds indoorsApr 28 – May 12

Transplant outdoorsJun 9 – Jun 23

Direct-sow outdoorsJun 9 – Jun 23

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 24

Okra in Billings · freeze context from Billings Wtp, MT, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Apr 28 – May 12

Sow in pots 4–6 weeks before the outdoor window opens (Missouri G6570: 4–6 weeks, sown directly in pots). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 10). University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Jun 9 – Jun 23

Same outdoor timing as direct sowing; Missouri G6570 notes okra transplants are pot-grown to avoid root disturbance. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 10). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Jun 9 – Jun 23

Purdue: very tender — at least two weeks after the last frost; Penn State's earliest sowing May 31 (+30 days for a May 1 frost) is the later start and is used. Okra wants thoroughly warm soil. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 10). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average variety (about 55–65 days from seed; Penn State lists 55).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners): Vegetable Seed Planting Guide (accessed 2026-07-24)
Earliest/latest sowing dates for a May 1 last-frost / Oct 1 first-frost baseline; offsets derived by date difference from May 1. Also days-to-maturity figures.
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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