When to plant okra in Melbourne
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Melbourne's last spring frost of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 31 – Aug 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Sep 11 – Oct 2
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 31 – Nov 15
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 65 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Melbourne's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
AUG 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Melbourne?
Direct-sow around mid September (Sep 11–Oct 2) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around late October (Oct 31–Nov 15) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around late July (Jul 31–Aug 21) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow okra to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow okra 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.