Yes.
Okra can be transplanted in the garden after an early start, however, that isn’t necessary, even growing this lovely plant in USDA Zone 4 or 5. Okra will take off and grow an inch or more a day once the temps heat up in late June.
All seeds grown in the high wind prairie, Midwest, in macro-climate zone 5(ish). Average dewpoint in summer is around 60. Soil is a loamy clay. Although my preference is organic, I have used commercial fertilizers from time to time. Growing days are approximately 135.
How do I Grow and Harvest Okra?
- The day before you plan to plant the okra outside, soak the seeds in room temp water for up to twenty-four hours. Suggested for faster germination, yet not required.
- Plant Okra seeds approximately a half inch deep, up to an inch deep. Okra is very forgiving and hasn’t been picky about soil for me.
- Okra seeds should be planted once all risk of any frost has passed. I plant okra seeds outdoors the same time I transplant or direct plant watermelon, about a week or two after I transplant tomatoes.
- In about July, your okra will go from a few inches to a few feet tall in a matter of weeks. It will fruit in August, easily. Okra will continue to fruit until first light frost.
- I have never fertilized okra. The growing habit is aggressive and easily takes whatever nutrients it can find in the soil, much like sunflowers. Last season, I planted four plants each in a square foot of sod dug out of my lawn. This year, however, I do plan to give it a bit of nitrogen in an attempt to get a bushier plant. I’ll let you know how that goes.
- Okra fruit grows just as fast as the plant. Most okra growers will pick okra twice a day. The bloom of an okra lasts less than a day. Once you see the bloom, expect to pick the okra generally two days later.
- Follow the directions by type regarding when to harvest. Harvest the fruit by snipping the stem with a pruners, when the okra fruit is 3-4″ long. A okra fruit that is 1″ in the morning will be 2-3″ by nightfall, they grow that fast. Once an okra goes beyond it’s prime length by type, it will become woody and inedible. Err on the side of too small when harvesting if you can’t catch the fruit at peak tenderness.
What Does Okra Taste Like?
When raw, it tastes like bland snot filled crisp raw green beans. To my palate. The gelatinous innards of the okra are legit slimy and, to my mouthfeel, unpleasant. Yet it’s the same mucous-like quality that gives gumbo it’s distinct stew quality. Cooked and fried, okra isn’t too bad, especially if you grew eating okra, or have a good tolerance for unusual textures.
If it’s not awesome to eat, why do you grow it?
I grow okra because I find the plant and blooms to be stunning. Even the okra fruit is visually interesting, and a great conversation piece. Okra looks like a jungle plant, which is rare up North. I just love how it looks as an ornamental.
Additionally, I do want to find a recipe that allows me to truly enjoy the flavor of okra, so I keep trying. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy it’s looks.
Anything else about Okra to share?
Okra seeds are very easy to harvest. Allow the okra to ripen and dry on the vine. The dried okra fruit will provide 15-30 seeds per pod.
I encourage anyone reading to at least try okra, if they haven’t. It’s a unique experience, and you may be one of the people who really enjoys the fruit.
Want more from the Queen of Okra? She’s a southern gardener, yet has Okra info all might find useful.
The End