#OKRA PLANTS HOW TO#
#OKRA PLANTS FULL#

Water deeply to ensure good moisture to encourage deep roots. Sprinkle the dry fertilizer on top of the soil about 6-8 inches away from the base of the plants rake in and water. Amend the garden bed with high-quality compost or other organic soil amendment before planting.įertilize with a balanced (10-10-10) organic fertilizer right after thinning seedlings and when you see okra pods start to form. Okra is the kind of plant that prefers a fertile, well-drained soil.

Okra loves hot weather and plants can take off quickly.

#OKRA PLANTS FULL#

Requirements for growing okraīecause okra is a tropical plant, choose a full sun spot for planting. If you planted from seeds, you’ll need to thin plants as they start to grow and allow space for good air circulation to prevent problems as they grow. Once plants start to grow, add an organic mulch (like straw) to help maintain soil moisture and keep down weeds. Set up a watering system at planting time, either drip irrigation or a soaker hose. If planting okra transplants, space plants about 6-12 inches apart (dwarf varieties) or 24 (or more) inches apart for taller varieties, but be sure to follow the planting instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. For smaller (dwarf) varieties, you’ll need at least 24 inches between rows tall, spreading varieties may need as much as 60 inches between rows. The space between rows depends on the type of okra you planted.

You can also direct sow seeds in the garden by planting them ½ inch deep, and space about 2 inches apart in the row. When planting from seeds, soaking them overnight helps with sprouting Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting or direct sow in the garden.

#OKRA PLANTS HOW TO#

Here’s how to germinate heat loving seeds in your Instant Pot! Planting okra seeds If you’re in a more northerly, cooler climate, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees before planting seeds or okra transplants. You can plant okra from seeds or transplants, depending on how quickly you want to get growing. Red Velvet is a compact 5-foot tall plant for containers and small gardens 55-60. Hill Country Red is an heirloom variety that grows long pods on 6-foot plants 64 days. Here are a few of the many green and red okra varieties to choose from: Green okra podsīaby Bubba is a pint-size variety that grows to 3-4 feet tall, perfect for containers or small gardens around 53 days to maturity.Ĭlemson Spineless is an All-America Selections winner with smooth spineless pods that grow on plants about 4 feet tall 55-60 days.Įmerald is an old-fashioned heirloom with round, dark green pods that grow on 6-foot-tall plants 60 days.ĭoes your homeowners association prevent you from growing food in the front yard? What if they never even KNEW? My ebook, The Edible Front Yard Garden will show you how!īurgundy is an heirloom variety with attractive red stems and pods on 5-foot tall plants 50-60 days to maturity. If growing okra in a cold-weather climate, select varieties with the shortest number of days to maturity. Red pods are an attractive ornamental feature although they may fade or turn green with cooking. They can be green or red, depending on the variety. Pods are long, ribbed and tapered at one end. The okra flowers and then pods form on fast-growing plants that can reach 6 feet tall. Ready to grow fresh greens, no matter WHERE you live? Sign up for myįREE quick-start guide and start growing some of your own food!

Okra plants