When to plant okra in Raleigh, North Carolina

April 27 – May 11

Transplant outdoors · typical Raleigh year

Climate basis: NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC (USC00317079), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Raleigh (ZCTA 27601 centroid), elevation 400 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 28). One year in ten still freezes after April 12.

Last spring freezeMarch 281-in-10 after Apr 12

First fall freezeNovember 81-in-10 before Oct 28

Frost-free season≈ 229 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 14 – Nov 23kills even hardy greens

USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Raleigh year

Start seeds indoorsMar 16 – Mar 30

Transplant outdoorsApr 27 – May 11

Direct-sow outdoorsApr 27 – May 11

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 12

Okra in Raleigh · freeze context from Raleigh State Univ, NC, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 16 – Mar 30

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 28). University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 27 – May 11

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

Direct-sow outdoors

Apr 27 – May 11

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 28). 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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