When to plant okra in Des Moines
Okra is frost-tender, so every date keys off Des Moines's last spring frost of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Jun 9 – Jun 30
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 29 – Aug 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 65 d
Des Moines's 179-day season leaves this much room.
Okra on Des Moines'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 17
OCT 16
Common questions
When can I sow okra outdoors in Des Moines?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 9–Jun 30) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will okra be ready to harvest in Des Moines?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 29–Aug 13) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start okra seeds indoors in Des Moines?
Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Des Moines?
Des Moines has roughly 179 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 Des Moines's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.