Growing Okra from seed is so easy, it will be a staple in your summer garden. Save seeds from your crop to plant again and again.
Many traditional southern gardeners have a yearly crop of okra. The plant loves the heat, so it grows well in the deep south. This season we’ve had several days with temps well into the 100s. While my other plants were wilting, and the tomatoes gave in, the okra is still going strong.
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Okra Seeds
Okra is a member of the cotton and hibiscus family, and produces seed pods. This is the edible part of the part. The seeds are round, about the size of a bb, and opaque, white, or gray color. Seeds can be directly sown in fertile soil once the spring temperatures sustain around 75°F during the day. Remember, okra loves heat so planting it too soon can damage the growth.
Seeds can also be saved for planting the following year. You can do this by allowing the pods to completely dry out before harvesting the seeds, Keep the seeds in a dark, air tight container, and store them in a cool spot. I do this at the end of my growing season. I simply leave a few pods on the stalk, and allow the pods to grow large. The pods will dry out, leaving the seeds inside ready for storage.
Planting Okra from seed
Okra can be planted around two weeks prior to your last frost date. The plants grow best if they are spaced at least twelve inches apart. Plant the seeds around 1-inch deep in the soil, and around 18 inches apart. Be sure to moisten the soil right after planting. If your seeds are really dry, you can soak them in water for 12 hours prior to planting. Soaking the seeds will also help them to have a faster germination.
The okra plant takes some time to get up and running, but will eventually grow to be around five or six feet tall. Trimming the top of your okra plant at this point will cause it to grow more branches, which can yield more okra. You can do this by trimming off the very top stalk of the plant with a pair of garden shears.
Okra Plant Care
Okra is a heat tolerant plant. It loves direct sunlight. I line my okra rows in an east to west direction to capture the morning and afternoon light. This is one reason it’s great for southern gardens. It can certainly take the scorching summers. Okra also needs well draining soil. It will grow in sandy soil, and can take a pH from around 5.8 to 7.6 but it performs best with a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
When the okra plant is growing and flowering it really likes a regular soaking with water every 7 days. It can also withstand dry periods pretty well. A soaker hose irrigation system is ideal for okra. I recently purchased a soaker hose system for my garden, and I couldn’t believe the difference it made in increasing growth, and decreasing disease in my plants.
Harvesting Okra
Okra has a long harvest period. Especially if you prune the top of the plant like I mentioned above. The plant will continue to produce for 10 to 12 weeks. However, you need to harvest the okra at least every other day to keep the plant producing. This will allow you enjoy fresh okra all summer long. Harvest okra pods when hey are around 3-inches long, or the length of your index finger. If you allow your okra to get too large, it will be hard. Picking the okra pod while it’s young will ensure it remains tender.
Picking okra can be painful if you aren’t careful. The pods have spines which cause itching and burning. Even if you plant a “spineless” variety, there will still be some spines on the okra. Trust me when I say to wear long sleeves while picking okra. It will save. you a lot of pain and irritation. Sometimes I even wear my gardening gloves while harvesting. If you do encounter okra spines, and have that itchy irritation scrub your hands using soap and water to remove any spines.
Okra FAQs
How long will okra stay fresh after picking?
Young, tender, freshly picked okra will usually stay fresh for around three days after picking if it’s left out on the counter. If you’re storing your okra in the refrigerator it will remain fresh for up to ten days.
What is the best variety of okra to grow from seed?
I personally prefer Clemson spineless okra. It germinates well and and has a great taste. This variety has also been good for seed saving in my experience. If stored properly, I’ve had okra seeds germinate after two years.
How do you prepare the soil for okra?
Okra tends to do very well in native soil because it can take a variety of sold types. However adding a layer of compost prior to planting the okra will give you a better yield. Also, be sure not the plant the okra in clay-like soil. It needs to be well drained.
Okra can also be easily grown in raised beds as long as they don’t hold water. Raised beds work especially well if you have less than ideal soil.
I hope I’ve inspired you to grow okra in your summer garden next year. Thanks for visiting my little farm!
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