When to Plant Okra in Des Moines, Iowa (50310)

Location

Des Moines, Iowa

ZIP Code

50310

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

Pro tip: Start Okra seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Abelmoschus esculentus

Days to Maturity 91 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 8-21 days

Ready to Plant Okra in Des Moines?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, February 28, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Leave pods on the plant until fully mature, dry, and hard — pods will split open slightly.

Processing

Shell dry pods, spread seeds on a screen for 2 weeks before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Okra can cross-pollinate with other okra varieties — isolate by 500 feet for pure seed.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Okra in Des Moines, Iowa? +

In Des Moines (Zone 5b), start Okra seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Des Moines, Iowa? +

The average last spring frost date for Des Moines, Iowa (ZIP 50310) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Okra take to grow? +

Okra typically matures in about 91 days from transplanting. In Des Moines, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, May 9, 2026 plus 91 days.

Should I start Okra indoors or direct sow in Iowa? +

Okra should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Des Moines, that means starting around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

📚 More Okra Planting Guides

🗺️

Okra in Iowa

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Okra Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Des Moines

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Okra in Zone 5b

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Des Moines, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should start seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Plan to transplant your Okra seedlings outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.