How to Plant and Grow Okra

Okra is a unique vegetable that is really a seed pod. Okra is used in a variety of recipes including gumbos and many other southern dishes. This plant prefers growing in a warm climate, so those in the southern states will do better with growing okra. To plant and grow okra successfully, you do not have to be a professional because this plant is very easy to grow. With its quick maturation, it can be grown in some areas that have a moderate growing season.

Things You'll Need

• Okra Seeds
• Quality Soil

Instructions

Grow Okra

1. Purchase quality okra seeds from a reputable provider. The seeds should be widely available in most areas, or you can use your own from a previous season. Okra also needs a good quality soil to grow in. Purchase a soil that has had nutrients added to it to improve its overall quality.

2. Plant okra seeds only when the threat of frost has past. They need warm weather to grow and should not be planted until the warm weather has started or the seeds may not grow at all. Be sure not to rush this step.

3. Choose the right area to grow okra. Okra needs full sun and enjoys the hot weather. Be sure that the soil has good drainage as well. Mulch and fertilize the soil as needed.

4. Sow seeds for Okra in rows. Space out the rows at least two feet apart so that you can move through the area once the plants begin to grow. Place the seeds into the soil at least ½ inch deep and space out each seed about 6 inches. Water gently after you have the okra planted.

5. Notice when the seeds begin to germinate. As they do, thin out the plants so that they are about a foot apart from each other, keeping the strongest plants in place. To grow okra in large amounts, you do need a good amount of space since the plant will grow quite wide. Keep the plants wet without puddles of water.

6. Harvest okra as the plant begins to produce the seed pods, which should be about three to four inches in length when they are ripe. Check your okra plants every other day for new growths and harvest them quickly as this will encourage the plant to grow more pods. It takes about 50 days for okra plants to reach maturity.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish