When to plant okra in Columbus
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Columbus's last spring frost of Mar 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 26 – Mar 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
Columbus's 262-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Columbus'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
MAR 6
NOV 22
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Columbus?
Direct-sow around early May (May 10–May 31) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Columbus?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 29–Jul 14) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Columbus?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 26–Mar 19) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Columbus?
Columbus has roughly 262 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 Columbus's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.