Plant Pulse

Okra

Abelmoschus esculantus

Okra. Sourced figures stay next to their citation. Planting windows are listed for locations that have one. Unsourced fields say coming soon.

Unverified — based on HORDI Crop - Okra, Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka, accessed 2026-10-20: https://doa.gov.lk/hordi-crop-okra/; confirm for your microclimate.

Spacing

In-row spacing
60 cm
Between-row spacing
90 cm

Other sourced figures

Days to first harvest
50–100 days

Market months

Prices vary by week, market, and year. This is not financial advice.

Based on hands-on growing experience from Sri Lankan farmers. Not yet verified against official sources.

  • Higher prices: October–December

    The gap between Yala and Maha.

    Farmer field notenoted Oct 2026

  • Higher prices: April–May

    The gap between Yala and Maha.

    Farmer field notenoted Oct 2026

  • Lower prices: January–March

    The gap between Yala and Maha.

    Farmer field notenoted Oct 2026

  • Lower prices: July–August

    The gap between Yala and Maha.

    Farmer field notenoted Oct 2026

Planting windows

Colombo — Low Country Wet Zone

  • Yala: April–May

    Direct sow

    Using 50–100 stored days. Plant in Apr, first harvest about 50–100 days later (around June–July). Plant in May, first harvest around July–August. Calculated from the stored day count and the planting month. It is not a separate harvest calendar.

    Climatic section: Yala, early April to early May. The opening sentence also says okra can be grown throughout the year. That sentence is not used to fill every month. The page excludes the up-country wet zone and does not name Colombo.

    Unverified — based on HORDI Crop - Okra, Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka, accessed 2026-10-20: https://doa.gov.lk/hordi-crop-okra/; confirm for your microclimate.

  • Maha: September–October

    Direct sow

    Using 50–100 stored days. Plant in Sep, first harvest about 50–100 days later (around November–December). Plant in Oct, first harvest around December–January. Calculated from the stored day count and the planting month. It is not a separate harvest calendar.

    Climatic section: Maha, early September to early October. Direct seeding. Harvest can continue over 50-100 days after planting.

    Unverified — based on HORDI Crop - Okra, Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka, accessed 2026-10-20: https://doa.gov.lk/hordi-crop-okra/; confirm for your microclimate.

When to plant Okra in Colombo

Tools