Growing Okra: Heat-Loving Southern Favorite with Beautiful Flowers

Okra thrives in warm weather, traditionally a southern U.S. plant. Easy to grow, beautiful flowers, rich in Vitamin A, low in calories.

Planting Okra

• Start indoors in peat pots under full light 3–4 weeks before last frost.
• Or direct sow 3–4 weeks before last frost with cold frame/grow tunnel (2–3 ft tall for growth).
• If not starting early, wait for stable warm weather. Plant when soil 65–70°F.
• Fertile, well-drained soil, full sun, ½–1 inch deep, 12–18 inches apart. Soak seeds overnight in tepid water to speed germination.
• Transplants: space 1–2 feet apart.
• Rows 3–4 feet apart—okra grows tall.

Care

• Weed early, then mulch heavily (4–8 inches) to prevent weeds. Side-dress with 10-10-10, aged manure, or rich compost (½ lb per 25 ft row). Or balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
• At 3 inches tall, thin to 10–18 inches apart.
• Water well all summer: 1 inch/week ideal, more in hot/arid regions.
• After first harvest, remove lower leaves to speed production.

Pests and Diseases

• Aphids
• Corn earworms
• Stinkbugs
• Fusarium wilt

Harvest and Storage

• First harvest ~2 months after planting.
• Harvest at 2–3 inches long, every other day.
• Cut stem just above cap with knife; if stem too hard, pod too old—toss.
• Wear gloves/long sleeves—tiny spines irritate skin (except spineless varieties). Irritation doesn’t transfer to eating.
• Store uncut/uncooked pods in freezer bags; prepare all winter.
• Can also can for winter.

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Annie Oakley’: 52 days, spineless, ~5 ft tall.
• ‘Park’s Candelabra Branching’: base-branching, easy picking.
• ‘Louisiana Green Velvet’: vigorous, 6 ft, smooth, spineless—good for large areas.

Recipes

• Jambalaya Soup
• Brunswick Chicken Pie
• Smokey Chipotle Gumbo Stew