By National Gardening Association Editors

Photo by farmerdill
Planning

  • In most parts of the country, plant okra directly in the garden when the nights stay above 55° F and the soil has warmed to 65° F to 70° F. (/li>
  • In the most northern areas, start seeds indoors in peat pots several weeks before the soil warms up. Or direct seed through black plastic and cover the rows with grow tunnels.

Preparation

  • Choose a site in full sun, preferably on a southern slope for maximum warmth.
  • A week or so before planting, work into the soil 1/2 pound of 10-10-10 or its equivalent per 25 feet of row.

Planting

  • To hasten germination, soak seeds overnight in tepid water or freeze them to crack their coats.
  • Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep, 3 to 4 inches apart.
  • Set out transplants to stand 1 to 2 feet apart in rows 3 to 4 feet apart.

Care

  • When the seedlings are about 3 inches tall, thin to stand 1 to 2 feet apart.
  • Provide at least 1 inch of water per week; more in hot, arid regions.
  • When plants are young, cultivate lightly to eliminate weeds. Mulch heavily (4 to 8 inches) to keep weeds down and conserve moisture.
  • Side-dress plants with 10-10-10 fertilizer (1/2 pound per 25 feet of row), aged manure, or rich compost. Side-dress three times: after thinning, when the first pods begin to develop, and at least once midway through the growing season.
  • See our article Summer's Bad Guys by Charlie Nardozzi for controls of common okra pests such as flea beetles.

Harvesting

  • The first pods will be ready in 50 to 60 days. Harvest the pods when still immature (2 to 3 inches long).
  • Pick at least every other day to encourage production.
  • Wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid coming in contact with the irritating spines on the leaves and pods. Use a knife to cut the stem just above the cap.

Together with Victory Seed Company:
Victory Seed Company Logo Victory Seed Company has all the seeds you want for your best garden in 2024.

For 25 years, the family-owned Victory Seed Company has provided the highest quality vegetable, herb and flower seeds to families across the country. We are passionate about providing you the best seeds available that give excellent germination, robust plants, and the harvest you want. With a catalog of over a thousand varieties, we have everything, and our prices are the kinds that we'd want to pay. We have hundreds of yesterday's heirloom vegetables, as well as today's award winning hybrid selections. Get to know us by visiting our website and browsing through our online vegetable seed catalog.

Other articles in this series:
1. Pepper Types
2. A Brief History of Peppers
3. All About Okra
4. Eggplant Essentials
5. Okra Essentials ← you're on this article right now
6. Pepper Essentials

This article is a part of our Vegetable Gardening Guide for Eggplant, Peppers and Okra / Getting Started.
Other articles in this series:
1. Pepper Types
2. A Brief History of Peppers
3. All About Okra
4. Eggplant Essentials
5. Okra Essentials ← you're on this article right now
6. Pepper Essentials

This article is a part of our Vegetable Gardening Guide for Eggplant, Peppers and Okra / Getting Started.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Zoia and is called "Volunteer"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.