Zone 11 · Fruiting Veg Growing Guide

When to Plant Okra
in Zone 11

Heat-lover that thrives where others struggle. Harvest pods at 3–4 inches — left longer, they become woody. A Southern staple that belongs in more gardens.

Plant outdoors
Feb – May
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~none
Days to harvest
50–65 days
Difficulty
Easy
Ready to harvest — Zone 11
Harvest window: Apr – Dec

Planting Calendar

In Zone 11, Okra should be planted outdoors Feb – May, after the average last frost date of approximately none.

Perennial in Zone 11.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Moderate
Spacing
18–24 inches
Soil
Well-draining, warm, fertile
Days to maturity
50–65 days
Soil pH
6.5–7.5
plant tip · Zone 11

Perennial in Zone 11.

Feeding Schedule

How often
monthly
Feed type
balanced then high potassium
Key timing
switch to high-potassium at flowering

Feed balanced fertilizer monthly. Switch to a lower-nitrogen, higher-potassium feed once plants start flowering for better pod production.

Companion Planting for Okra

What you plant next to okra makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Peppers
  • Basil
  • Melons
Keep away from
  • Brassicas
  • Fennel

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Common questions

In Zone 11, direct sow okra outdoors Feb – May after your last frost date of approximately none. Perennial in Zone 11.
Zone 11 has an average last spring frost of approximately none and a first fall frost around none. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for okra include Peppers, Basil, Melons. Avoid planting near Brassicas, Fennel, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Okra typically takes 50–65 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 11. Expected harvest window: Apr – Dec.

Free app · iOS February 2028

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Okra in other zones
Crop Guides