Regional timing
Choose the row that matches your part of Georgia
UGA publishes exact dates for Middle Georgia and relative shifts for the rest of the state. The North and South rows stay as shifts because the source does not support one exact statewide date.
Main Middle Georgia window
April 1 – June 1
Direct sow once the soil-temperature test passes.Later Middle Georgia window
June 15 – July 1
Leave enough warm weather for roughly 60–70 days to the first harvest.North Georgia
Start spring 1–3 weeks later than the Middle Georgia range. Finish late planting about 2 weeks earlier.
Use the 65°F soil reading as the final start signal, especially in mountain counties.Middle Georgia
April 1–June 1, then June 15–July 1.
UGA defines the middle belt roughly from Columbus through Macon to Augusta.South Georgia
Spring may start up to 2–3 weeks earlier. The later planting period may extend by about 2 weeks.
Move the calendar only when warm soil and current weather support the change.The go/no-go check
Plant only when the soil is warm enough
A calendar window is the first filter. Soil temperature decides whether okra seed has the warm start UGA calls for.
- Soil measures at least 65°F at a depth of 4 inches.
- The bed drains well and receives full sun.
- The date fits your regional shift rather than the Middle Georgia calendar alone.
- The current forecast does not call for a return to cold weather.
Direct-sowing setup
How to start okra in the garden
Soak the seed
Soak okra seeds for several hours or overnight. UGA recommends this to improve germination.
Sow 1 inch deep
Place seeds 4–6 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Thin after emergence
When seedlings reach several inches tall, thin them to 18–24 inches apart.
Outside the easy part of the calendar
If your date falls before, between or after the listed windows
Too early
The soil is below 65°F
Wait. A date inside the calendar does not override the soil-temperature requirement.Between UGA windows
June 2–14 in Middle Georgia
UGA lists two separate periods but does not explain this gap. To stay inside the published chart, use the June 15 opening or ask your county Extension office about current local conditions.Late edge
After July 1
The crop chart closes on July 1. UGA’s general garden calendar names July 20 as the last date for okra to have time before frost, so July 2–20 is an edge case rather than the standard window.Too late
After the local July cutoff
Wait for the next warm season. Okra needs roughly 60–70 days after planting before the first harvest.Planning a late sowing
Allow 60–70 days to the first harvest
UGA’s planting chart lists 55–60 days to maturity; its okra guide says the first harvest is usually about 60–70 days after planting. For a late sowing, plan with the longer range.