When to Plant Okra in Virginia

Coastal Planting Times

• The narrow coastal or Tidewater zone, as defined by Virginia Tech University, hugs the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean waterlines. This area stretches in a slim band from Arlington in the north to Chesapeake County to the south, includes the James River valley west to Chesterfield County and also encompasses all of the Eastern Shore peninsula. Residents of these areas can plant okra from April 10 to April 21, the average last killing frost dates in most years. Plant succeeding rounds of okra seed every week through mid- to late June for a continual crop.

Piedmont Planting

• According to Virginia Tech, the state’s Piedmont area comprises a larger area of the state. This includes areas of Northern Virginia along the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in the north, south through Prince William and Caroline counties, and a broad stretch of the central and southern areas up to the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which run along the diagonal midline of the state. Piedmont areas experience an average last frost date of April 20 through April 30 in most years. Plant succeeding crops until the end of June to the middle of July for a continuous harvest.

Mountain Zone

• Virginia’s mountain zone includes everything west of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the state’s borders with West Virginia and Kentucky. Killing spring frosts occur much later in these regions, with average last frost dates occurring from May 1 to May 15 in most years. Starting seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost helps okra lovers in the Virginia mountains get a jump on the growing season. Plant successions of seed through mid-July to early August for a continuing crop.

Okra Growing and Harvest

• Regardless of where you live, check soil temperatures before planting, as okra grows best when soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth have reached at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Soak seeds before planting to improve germination rates. Soil must be well drained and plants situated to receive at least eight hours of sunlight daily. Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart, and keep young plants well weeded to avoid stunting from competition. Begin to harvest pods when they are 2 to 3 inches long, usually between 60 and 70 days after planting. Pick pods early and often, as harvesting encourages the production of more pods.