How to Grow Okra
Lots of people don't even know what Okra is. Some people say they have never
eaten it. If you have ever had a Gumbo recipe of any kind, you have had Okra.
If you've eaten any southern cooking, it's very likely that you've had Okra.The
part of the plant that you eat, is actually the Okra seed pod.
Okra is grown all over the world. It is most common in the southern part
of the U.S., and uncommon elsewhere. Now here comes the good part..... Growing
Okra is easy, and it grows quickly. It's quick maturation, makes it a vegetable
that can be grown even in areas with short seasons. So, if you have not tried
it in your garden before, give it a try this year.
Sowing Okra Seeds:
Sow Okra seeds 1/2 inch deep, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart, in rows 2
feet apart. A week or so after germination, thin to a final spacing of 12
to 18 inches apart.
Sow seeds early after all danger of frost has past, and the weather has warmed.
Do not rush to plant them after the last frost. The seeds prefer warm weather
and warm soil to germinate. They will grow quickly in warm weather.
Maturity: 50-60 days.
How to Grow Okra:
Okra is quick growing in hot weather. It loves the heat more than perhaps
most other vegetables. Provide full sun and rich, well drained soil. Keep
them watered, but make sure to provide good drainage, as they do not like
to keep their feet wet for extended periods. Apply both fertilizer and mulch.
Harvesting:
Harvest Okra when the pods are young and tender, about three to four inches
long. They will get hard and stringy quickly. Pick the pods regularly, as
often as every other day. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers
and pods for an extended period of time.
Insects and Pests:
Aphids and other insects enjoy sucking on the juices of the plants. The first
time this author ever grew it, the Okra mainly fed the insects. Insect control
is important for a bountiful harvest.
Hardiness:
Commonly grown in the south, Okra is susceptible to frost. Pod production
diminishes in cool weather.
More Information:
Okra Recipe: Stewed Okra and
Tomatoes
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