When to plant okra in Bakersfield
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Bakersfield's last spring frost of Feb 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 29 – Feb 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
May 10 – May 31
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 29 – Jul 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 65 d
Bakersfield's 315-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Bakersfield'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
FEB 3
DEC 8
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Bakersfield?
Direct-sow around early May (May 10–May 31) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Bakersfield?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 29–Jul 14) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Bakersfield?
Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 29–Feb 19) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has roughly 315 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 Bakersfield's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.