Georgia planting calendar

When to plant okra in Georgia — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Georgia is mostly USDA zone 8a (range 6b-9a). Dates below are derived from okra's frost tolerance and Georgia's frost window — not generic national averages.

Okra planting timetable for Georgia

Stage	When in Georgia	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	early March (March 8)	4 weeks before the last frost (early April)
Transplant outside	mid-April (April 19)	14 days after the last frost (early April)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-June (June 18)	~60 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Georgia's climate shifts the okra dates

Georgia's last spring frost averages early April and first fall frost early November, which sets the whole planting clock. Georgia runs from cool mountains to a warm coastal plain, with a long humid season. Most of the state gardens in zone 8. Wait for warm soil — okra stall in cold ground even after the air warms, so don't rush them out.

Okra is a heat-loving crop that stalls in cool weather — direct-sow or transplant after the last frost when soil temperature reaches 21 °C (70 °F), or pod set is poor. In zones 6-7, starting seeds 3-4 weeks indoors (in biodegradable pots to avoid tap-root disturbance) extends the season enough to reach full production. Soak seeds 12-24 hours before sowing to improve germination, and nick the hard seed coat if germination is slow.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before early April — even a light frost will kill seedlings overnight. In the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Georgia

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Atlanta — USDA zone 8a
Savannah — USDA zone 9a
Augusta — USDA zone 8b
Columbus — USDA zone 8b
Macon — USDA zone 8b

What else to plant in Georgia around then

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6-8 hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 21-35 °C (70-95 °F).
Spacing: 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~60 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant okra in Georgia?

In Georgia (mostly USDA zone 8a), sow okra indoors around early March, transplant outdoors mid-April (after the last frost, early April), and harvest from mid-June. Okra are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

What USDA zone is Georgia?

Most of Georgia sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a, with the state spanning roughly 6b-9a from the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) to the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a). The last spring frost averages early April and the first fall frost early November.

Can you grow okra in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia's dominant zone 8a supports okra — the key is timing. Okra are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

Does the planting date change across Georgia?

the Blue Ridge mountains in the north (zone 6b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic coast around Savannah (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Georgia around the same time?

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.