When to plant okra in Ottawa
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Ottawa's last spring frost of May 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 8 – Apr 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
May 20 – Jun 10
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 9 – Jul 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 65 d
Ottawa's 149-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Ottawa'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
FROST
MAY 6
OCT 2
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Ottawa?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 20–Jun 10) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Ottawa?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 9–Jul 24) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Ottawa?
Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 8–Apr 29) in Ottawa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Ottawa?
Ottawa has roughly 149 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 Ottawa's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.