Okra Gardening Tips

Okra is an easy-to-grow plant that grows well in a variety of soil types. It can also be grown in containers.

Okra plants grow best in light, deeply worked soil rich in organic matter. Improve the soil by adding compost or aged manure to the planting bed.

Okra plants grow best in soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Test your soil’s pH level before planting to ensure it is in the correct range.

Planting

Okra is a warm weather, sun loving plant that thrives in fertile, loamy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. It is a heavy feeder and needs a little fertilizer in the form of aged compost or bagged organic matter.

To grow okra from seed, sow the seeds one inch deep in rows three feet apart. They germinate in two to 12 days. Water okra frequently to encourage strong growth and abundant flower and pod production.

In a dry climate, water okra every 7 to 10 days instead of daily. The plant will become weakened and susceptible to pests and diseases if it is exposed to a long dry spell.

To increase germination, soak the seeds overnight before planting them or scarify the seed coat. These techniques can speed up germination in older okra varieties.

Sowing

Okra is a popular crop in tropical countries and southern America, where it thrives in hot weather. Despite a reputation for its slimy interior texture, okra is packed with healthful nutrients and offers culinary pleasure in abundance.

To sow okra, soak seeds in tepid water for several hours. Sow half an inch deep and space rows 18 to 36 inches apart.

Sow okra seedlings indoors in peat pots, then transplant them into the garden when the weather warms. The best time to plant okra is after the soil warms and daytime temperatures reach 80 degrees.

Okra grows well in rich, organic soil in full sun. It also thrives in a sandy loam. For the best results, mix a 10-10-10 fertilizer into the soil before planting. Add a side-dress of the same fertilizer when okra reaches six inches tall, then reapply it every four to six weeks throughout its growing season.

Growing

Okra is a tough, resilient plant that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and temperatures. This makes it an ideal vegetable crop for hot summers and cool winters.

It also needs plenty of sun and warmth for optimal flowering, fruiting and seed pod production. Okra plants prefer evening temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures of 85 to 100°F.

During the growing season, okra plants need adequate water to keep the roots and shoots from drying out. Use a drip tube and mulch layer to help conserve moisture.

Pests and diseases can affect okra, so you should be vigilant about controlling them. These include verticillium and fusarium wilt, root knot nematodes, corn earworms, Japanese beetles, aphids, and stink bugs.

Okra plants are ready for harvest about 55 to 65 days after planting. During these days, the pretty flowers give way to edible pods that can be harvested as soon as they’re 3 to 5 inches long.

Harvesting

Okra plants should be harvested when the pods are long enough to be picked, which usually happens around two months after planting. Pick pods every other day, and don’t let them mature on the plant, which makes the okra stringy and bitter.

Okra grows well in rich soil that’s packed with nutrients. You can enrich the soil with compost or bagged organic fertilizer to provide these nutrients for the okra crop to thrive.

Water thoroughly during the day to keep the soil well-moisturized. Okra can withstand some drought, but it grows better with frequent, consistent waterings.

Plant okra seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and about 10 inches (25 cm) apart in rows 3 feet (0.9 m) apart. Seedlings should be thinned out once they’re about 3 inches (7.6 cm) high, leaving the strongest seedlings for good stand.