When to plant okra in Louisville, Kentucky

April 30 – May 14

Transplant outdoors · typical Louisville year

Climate basis: NOAA station Louisville Mcalpine, KY (USC00154955), 3 mi (4 km) from downtown Louisville (ZCTA 40202 centroid), elevation 440 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant okra outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 31). One year in ten still freezes after April 14.

Last spring freezeMarch 311-in-10 after Apr 14

First fall freezeNovember 91-in-10 before Oct 31

Frost-free season≈ 225 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 18 – Nov 20kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Louisville year

Start seeds indoorsMar 19 – Apr 2

Transplant outdoorsApr 30 – May 14

Direct-sow outdoorsApr 30 – May 14

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 14

Okra in Louisville · freeze context from Louisville Mcalpine, KY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 19 – Apr 2

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 (Mar 31). University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 30 – May 14

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 (Mar 31). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Apr 30 – May 14

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 (Mar 31). 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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