When to plant okra in Chicago
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Chicago's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Jun 7 – Jun 28
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 27 – Aug 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 65 d
Chicago's 206-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Chicago'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
APR 10
OCT 31
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Chicago?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 7–Jun 28) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Chicago?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 27–Aug 11) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Chicago?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Chicago, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Chicago?
Chicago has roughly 206 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 Chicago's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.