How to Grow Okra

Okra is a North African native, so it's no wonder it craves heat. That plus its good looks and distinctive taste have made it a staple in Southern gardens since the 1600s. North of the Mason-Dixon line, give it some coddling and expect smaller yields.

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Cloches
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Floating Row Covers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds

Instructions

1. Choose a site that gets full sun and where the mature plants won't shade shorter crops (okra can grow up to 6 feet tall). It does well in any pH from 6.0 to 8.0 but needs light, fertile soil. Till deeply and add well-composted manure to provide plenty of nitrogen.

2. Sow seeds outdoors in mild climates when the soil temperature has reached 65 degrees F. (If the soil is any cooler, the seeds will rot.)

3. Buy started plants, or start seeds indoors in peat pots four to six weeks before the last expected frost in cooler regions.

4. Harden off seedlings, whether homegrown or store-bought, and plant them two to three weeks after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees F. Add a half-shovelful of bonemeal or compost to each planting hole.

5. Cover transplants with cloches or floating row covers to protect them from the cold, and provide at least an inch of water a week. Wait until the soil has warmed thoroughly before you add mulch.

6. Start picking okra when the pods are 2 to 3 inches long and still soft - usually about four days after the flowers fade. If you wait much longer, the pods will turn fibrous and inedible.

Tips & Warnings

• Okra's stunning foliage and bell-like yellow flowers with red centers make it a natural for an ornamental garden. For container planting, choose a compact variety such as the 3-foot 'Blondy'.

• Good early-maturing varieties for Northern gardens include 'Blondy' (48 days), 'Annie Oakley' (45 days) and 'Cajun Delight' (50 days).

• Okra doesn't like to have its roots disturbed. If you buy plants, make sure they're growing in peat pots or other containers that can go directly into the ground.

• Some people develop a rash from okra leaves, so you may want to wear long sleeves and gloves at harvesttime.

• Bees and other insects cross-pollinate okra with abandon. If you want to save seeds that will produce what you expect to get, stick to one variety.