How to Grow Okra

Days to germination: 10 to 14 days
Days to harvest: 60 days
Light requirements: Full sun
Water requirements: Regular watering but not frequent
Soil: Well-drained
Container: For smaller varieties only

Introduction

Okra is a wonderful and mainly trouble-free plant that thrives in hot weather (80 to 90F is ideal). Cool summers aren’t very suitable for growing okra, though northern gardens may get a small harvest. It’s a very popular vegetable in the southern United States, where is grows extremely well.

If you’re not familiar with okra, it can be a bit of an acquired taste. The edible pods have a sticky fluid in them which can help thicken up soups like gumbo. In some places, okra is actually just called “Gumbo” because that’s how people know it. Once you know how to cook with okra, it’s actually quite versatile. You can even eat the small pods raw.

The gummy nature of okra tends to make people think it’s a high-fat vegetable which is not true. Okra pods are high in fiber, vitamins A, C and K as well as folate and thiamine.

Starting from Seed

To get the most out of your okra, give it a head start with indoor seedlings. It’s a must in cooler climates. Put your seeds into small pots about 6 weeks before your expected final frost date for the season. Only cover the seeds with a quarter inch of soil. Keep the pots moist and they should start to sprout in just under two weeks.

Its somewhat traditional to soak okra seeds the night before planting to encourage quicker germination. It certainly can’t hurt but as long as you keep your potting soil watered, it’s not a necessary step.

Transplanting

Around 2 weeks after your frost date, you can put your okra seedlings out into the garden. Choose a warm spot that gets full sun throughout the day. Loosen the soil up and add some compost.

Space your plants to leave 2 feet of space on all sides, as the plants will be quite large when fully grown. If they are too crowded, they will have a much reduced harvest later on.

Because the leaves can have stinging spines on them (see more in the harvest section below), don’t plant your okra plants near garden pathways where you will frequently be walking too close. Also, the plants will grow between 4 and 6 feet high, so plan out your space to keep the okra from shading the other plants.

Growing Instructions

As mentioned, okra is a very easy plant to grow that doesn’t require a lot of work in the garden. Water it at least once a week but a few dry spells aren’t going to hurt established plants. You can fertilize your okra patch with standard fertilizer formulations to give them some extra nutrients.

Okra plants will get very tall but they are not the same as vining plants like beans or zucchini. You don’t need to provide a trellis or any support for your plants. They grow more like tall shrubs than vines.

Containers

Some varieties of okra will be too large for any reasonable container, but if you choose shorter-growing plants then you can do some container gardening. Your pots will need to be at least 5 gallons in size, though larger will be better. Find varieties that will grow under 5 feet in height. Annie Oakley is usually around 3 to 4 feet and would work well.

Black containers will attract the sunlight and help keep the soil nice and warm for your plants.

Pests and Diseases

One of the saving graces of growing okra is that it’s not overly bothered by diseases or insect pests. Keep a watch out for aphids, stink bugs, flea beetles and ants. They can all be repelled with regular insecticide and hand-picking. These insects usually eat the leaves and can be damaging to small plants. Full-grown okra plants are typically able to handle the damage with few ill effects.

Leaves can sometimes get powdery mildew, a whitish dusting of fungus that can develop when the leaves are left wet too often. You can treat it with fungicide, and prevent it by only watering right at the soil to keep the leaves dry.

Harvest and Storage

Once your okra plants start to flower, be on the lookout for the seed pods. They are the most tender when just a few inches long, and about as thick as your finger. Pods that are longer than 5 inches will start to be tough and stringy, so try not to miss any when you are harvesting. Okra that is just a little tough can still be used in recipes where the vegetables are cooking longer (such as long-simmering soups).

The pods grow very quickly, and the plant will continue to produce them until the winter cold sets in. A healthy plant will give you up to 2 pounds of pods, though smaller dwarf plants will have less.

Even though it will be hot outside, don’t try to harvest your okra pods in short sleeves. You simply must wear a sturdy long-sleeved shirt and wear good gardening gloves. The pods and leaves are covered in very fine hairs or spines that will irritate your skin. The spines aren’t actually sharp (like a thistle) but have a chemical that will burn the skin.

When cooking with fresh okra, wear gloves until you’ve added it to your dish. The “spines” are neutralized by the hot water when you are cooking, so aren’t an issue when actually eating it.

Some varieties are described as “spineless”, such as Clemson. Any designation of “spineless” usually refers to the pods only, so you still need a bit of protection when picking because the leaves and stems can still sting you.

Use your okra within a few days of picking, or store in the fridge for a week or two. Okra can be stored for later use by freezing the chopped pods. If you do freeze, skip the blanching step. It’s not necessary and will ruin the texture.