When to plant okra in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 9a–11a, so the right time to plant okra shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 29 in Sarasota to April 4 in Crestview — below are local dates for 340 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 9b | February 1 | January 5 | February 15 – March 1 |
| Miami | 11a | January 18 | January 13 | February 1 – February 15 |
| Tampa | 10a | January 20 | January 12 | February 3 – February 17 |
| Orlando | 10a | January 25 | January 10 | February 8 – February 22 |
| St. Petersburg | 10b | January 17 | January 15 | January 31 – February 14 |
| Port St. Lucie | 10a | January 23 | January 18 | February 6 – February 20 |
| Hialeah | 11a | January 18 | January 13 | February 1 – February 15 |
| Cape Coral | 10b | January 16 | January 13 | January 30 – February 13 |
Okra in Florida: FAQ
When can I plant okra in Florida?
Across Florida, the time to direct-sow okra spans roughly January 29 in Sarasota to April 4 in Crestview, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the okra planting date vary across Florida?
Yes. Florida publishes 340 cities with their own frost dates, so the right okra planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does okra take to grow in Florida?
Okra takes about 55–65 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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