After plants start blossoming, pods should be harvested every other day. You can begin harvesting okra three to four days after each flower fades. After fertilizing, water thoroughly with a hose to soak the fertilizer into the soil. During dry periods, deeply soak the bed once per week.Īfter the first big harvest of pods, top-dress the plants with a balanced organic fertilizer, gently mixed into the top half-inch of soil. After the soil becomes summer-warm, install a soaker hose down the row and cover it with a mulch of grass clippings or wood chips. Weed by hand for the first few weeks after planting okra. Three plants will fit into a planter made out of a modified plastic storage bin.įor recommended planting dates for your local climate - and to design your garden beds - try our Vegetable Garden Planner. When okra seedlings are 4 inches tall, thin them to at least 18 inches apart.ĭwarf okra varieties can be grown in containers that are at least 12 inches in diameter. Plant okra seeds 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart, spacing rows at least 30 inches apart. Soak hard okra seeds in plain water overnight before planting, and discard any seeds that float to the top. Plant okra in late spring or early summer, two weeks or more after your last frost has passed. Loosen the soil to at least 12 inches, and mix in a 1 inch layer of compost along with a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer. Maximize sun exposure when growing okra, because this crop cannot tolerate shade. Okra will grow in a range of soil types provided the pH is between 5.8 and 6.8. They are not as productive as green-podded varieties, but red okras such as ‘Burgundy,’ ‘Red Velvet’ and ‘Hill Country Red’ make beautiful edible ornamentals. Red okra varieties produce dramatic orange to burgundy pods, which turn green when cooked. These are the good choices if you are growing okra for pickling or freezing. Main-season okra varieties include super-productive ‘Clemson Spineless’ and numerous tall heirlooms such as ‘Stewart’s Zeebest’ and ‘Perkins Long Pod,’ which mature about 60 days after planting. Types of OkraĮarly dwarf okra varieties suitable for small beds and large containers include fast-maturing hybrids such as ‘Annie Oakley II,’ ‘Cajun Delight’ and ‘Baby Bubba.’ These varieties seldom grow more than 4 feet tall, and they start producing pods about 55 days after planting. Okra requires full sun and soil temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Where growing seasons are cooler, dwarf varieties can be grown in containers. Okra grows best where both days and nights stay warm in summer, and it is among the easiest summer crops to grow in the humid Southeast. ![]() (For details on growing many other vegetables and fruits, visit our Crop at a Glance collection page.)Ī semi-tropical member of the hibiscus family, okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus) produces edible flowers, pods and seeds. ![]() Think cornmeal-dredged fried okra, okra muffins, okra succotash and much more. This process helps the plants rejuvenate and grow fresh for the following growing season.Grow okra this summer to enjoy some creative cuisine in your kitchen. Use shears to cut, leaving 6 to 12 inches of each plant above ground. Okra can be pruned back to produce a late summer or fall harvest. Eradicate them by hand or with a water spray as soon as possible before the infestation spreads. Aphids, corn earworms, Japanese beetles, flea beetles, and stink bugs can all damage plants, so keep an eye out for them. Okra is generally trouble-free, with most issues affecting just the leaves and not the pods. Another practical option is to use a water-soluble fertilizer and apply it when you water your plants. After the seedlings reach 6 inches in height, a balanced fertilizer is typically applied every four to six weeks during the growing season. ![]() The ideal temperatures for growing this crop ranges from 75✯ to 90✯, with nighttime lows of 60✯ or above. It flourishes in warm temperatures and can endure drought. When there are extended periods of dryness, weekly deep watering is beneficial. Regular watering is necessary and crucial when the plant is blooming and the pods are forming. Okra has a low water requirement and dislikes having wet feet, so make sure not to overwater. It will take at least three months to produce a successful crop.Įnsure you give okra enough room to grow as it can grow four to six feet tall and wide. Plant okra seed in the garden when the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees or higher and at least three weeks have passed since the last frost. ![]() For the best yields, plant okra in the spring, two to three weeks after the last chance of frost has passed. Okra is a tropical plant that requires warm temperatures to thrive.
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