When to plant okra in Louisiana

Okra
Sow outdoors in New Orleans
Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Louisiana the window opens between February 15 and April 1. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, New Orleans
Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Oct 18
Last frost, New Orleans
Jan 22

Sow outdoors 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Okra wants hot soil and hot nights. It is one of the last crops to go in.

Okra planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
New OrleansFeb 15–Mar 1
Baton RougeMar 21–Apr 4
ShreveportMar 30–Apr 13
MetairieFeb 20–Mar 6
LafayetteMar 19–Apr 2
Lake CharlesMar 7–Mar 21
St. GeorgeMar 21–Apr 4
KennerFeb 20–Mar 6
Bossier CityMar 21–Apr 4
MonroeMar 29–Apr 12
AlexandriaMar 20–Apr 3
PrairievilleMar 2–Mar 16
MarreroFeb 15–Mar 1
HoumaFeb 26–Mar 12
CentralMar 18–Apr 1
LaplaceMar 2–Mar 16
SlidellMar 17–Mar 31
New IberiaMar 3–Mar 17
TerrytownFeb 22–Mar 8
HammondMar 29–Apr 12
ChalmetteMar 3–Mar 17
RustonApr 1–Apr 15
Bayou CaneFeb 26–Mar 12
HarveyFeb 22–Mar 8
ZacharyMar 18–Apr 1
SulphurMar 7–Mar 21

Questions

When should I plant okra in Louisiana?

In New Orleans, sow outdoors from February 15 to March 1. Across Louisiana the window opens between February 15 and April 1, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 3–5 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Louisiana

Okra in other states

Frost dates for every city in Louisiana