How to Dry Okra Seeds for Replanting

You can store home-grown okra seeds for up to two years.

In order to store okra seeds successfully, you must first dry them properly. This is a very easy process in a kitchen oven. Many people opt to dry their okra seeds in the sun, but direct sunlight can harm the seeds if they get too hot. Your dried, home-grown okra seeds will remain viable for up to two years if you store them properly.

Things You'll Need

• Shallow baking pan
• Cooling rack
• Glass jar with tight-fitting lid

Instructions

1. Preheat your kitchen oven to 100 degrees F. Crack the door open until it clicks, leaving the typical 6-inch opening. Let the oven continue heating for about 10 minutes so that the temperature is a constant 100 degrees F.

2. Spread the fresh okra seeds out in a single layer on a shallow baking pan. Allow plenty of space between them so that none of the seeds touch each other.

3. Bake the pan of okra seeds at 100 degrees F for six hours. Keep the oven door open the entire baking time.

4. Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a cooling rack. Allow the dried okra seeds to cool to room temperature.

5. Seal the dried okra seeds in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate or freeze the jar for up to two years. Remove and thaw okra seeds as you need them for replanting.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to dry your okra seeds in the microwave. Always use a conventional kitchen oven.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Storing Vegetable and Flower Seeds
• University of Illinois Extension: Okra
• Alcorn State University Extension: FAQ

Resources

• The Bayou Gardener: Vegetable Garden--Collecting Okra Seed for Next Year's Garden