How to Grow Okra
Instruction & Advice for Growing Okra Plants
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
Okra (also known as Lady's finger) is grown as an annual garden vegetable. It has an unusually high gum content, which makes it popular as a thickener in stews/soups. It is a hot weather plant that belongs to the mallow family.
Gardening Advice Tip: Okra is not a good choice for container gardening.
Nutrition Information: (back to top)
Under optimal growing conditions, okra offers: Dietary Fiber, Chromium, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Protein, Vitamin A, K, C, B6, Tihamin, Folate, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper
Climate & Growing Conditions: (back to top)
This vegetable will grow best in hot humid climates with long growing seasons. It prefers full sun.
How to Prepare the Garden Soil: (back to top)
Successful gardening for Okra requires well-drained soil that’s neither over fertilized nor over watered. If you're gardening in a climate that gets lots of rain, plant your okra crop in a raised garden bed to help avoid drainage issues.
Compost is a great addition to your garden bed, as it enriches the soil helps it manage water better. You can purchase compost, or make your own compost.
One week before planting, mix a complete fertilizer into the garden bed. Dig it in at least 6" deep.
How to Plant Okra: (back to top)
You can sow okra seeds (in hot climates) directly in your garden from spring through early summer. Plant the seeds 3/4" deep in rows that are spaced 2 feet apart.
How to Water: (back to top)
This vegetable doesn't like overwatering. Watch the garden soil carefully to keep in just moist. Keep water off the plant itself when watering (water the ground beneath the plant).
How to Fertilize: (back to top)
When you first start to see pods starting to grow, apply a fertilizer on the ground around the plants. Water the fertilizer into the soil, keeping both the fertilizer and the water off the plant directly.
Gardening Challenges: (back to top)
If you get water on the plant regularly, you'll likely "stem rot." Careful watering in your garden will help avoid this problem
Note: Consider using irrigation (seep) hoses throughout your garden. These are a worthwhile investment that will also help you use less water in tending your garden. Since they water at the ground level, the majority of the water goes directly into the soil at a slower rate, so there's very little runoff and very little of the water evaporates into the air (unlike overhead sprinklers).
Plus, by reducing the cost of watering the garden, they help keep your gardening costs down! Take care of the hoses, drain them and bringing them in at the end of the season, and they'll last a long time.
Gardening Advice Tip: Practice good vegetable gardening by rotating your crops within your garden space with each new season. This will prevent many plant diseases.
How to Harvest Okra: (back to top)
You can pick the pods when they are at least 2” long (normally at around 3 months). Leaving the pods to grow in the garden much longer will cause them to get tough and stringy.
Pick your okra garden daily, as this keeps the plant producing for a longer period during the gardening season. If many pods are left on the vine, the okra plant stops producing.
How to freeze Okra (back to top)
Wash okra well and trim off stems. Blanch okra in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Cool okra in iced water for 3-4 minutes, drain and pack in freezer bags. Remove air from bags, seal and label. Freeze okra for up to 6 months.
Canning Okra (back to top)
NOTE: This is only a guideline. If not canned properly very dangerous (life-threatening) bacteria can grow undetected in your jars. Be sure to follow standard sanitation and canning procedures, as outlined in your canning cookbook or by your local county extension office. Also, follow your specific canner's manufacturer's instructions.
Note: processing time given is for at sea level. If you're above sea level, the cooking time will be longer. Again, check with your local county extension office for conversion rates for your area, to ensure that you're producing a safe canned food product. Your local county extension office may also be able to test your pressure cooker's gauge for accuracy.
Trim, removing stem and blossom end. Wash and drain. Cut into pieces. Place in a pot, cover with cold water, and boil for 3 minutes. Leaving 1" of space at the top of the jar, pack the hot okra pieces into hot jars. Add 1 tsp salt per quart (1/2 tsp salt per pint). Pour boiling water to fill the jar, but leaving 1" of space at the top. Use a rubber spatula to remove air bubbles. Refill with hot water, if needed to the 1" from the top mark. Add lids. Process 25 minutes (pints), 40 minutes (quarts) at 10 lbs pressure in a pressure canner.
NOTE: Be sure to follow your pressure cooker's manufacturer supplied instructions for safety.
Follow your canning cookbook's instructions for removing, cooling and storing the jars.
How to Dry / Dehydrate Okra (back to top)
Select tender, firm pods. Trim the ends and wash. Slice into pieces 1/4" thick. Dry at 100 degrees (F) - the texture is leathery when done. Dried okra is good for using as a thickener in soups or gumbos.
Gardening Advice Tips (back to top)
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a fun story) to share about your okra growing experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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