Okra Growing Guide

Okra is a Southern staple that has been grown in gardens all over for centuries. Okra belongs to the mallow family along with roselle hibiscus and also cotton. Originally from Africa, okra has been widely adapted to grow in most climates but does very well in hotter growing zones like Georgia and Louisiana. Africans know okra as “gumbo” and it is a key ingredient in the popular dish from Louisiana. No matter how much space you have, okra can be grown in rows, raised beds or containers depending on the variety you choose.

If you’ve ever explored the world of growing your own vegetables, you’ve no doubt heard the terms hybrid and heirloom. Heirlooms are varieties that have not been crossbred for 40-50 years or more. These varieties can be passed down through generations and keep their characteristics through those generations because of the careful planting to prevent cross-pollination.

Hybrid varieties have been specifically bred to have characteristics that are desirable to the grower. These characteristics can be anything from size, color, flavor, or disease resistance. When planting a hybrid variety, you have a much better idea of the characteristics of the fruit that the plant will produce.

Jambalaya Okra, for example, is a hybrid variety that produces up to 2 weeks earlier than other okra varieties and is way more productive. Keeping this in mind, if you don’t want to have to pick okra as often, this may not be the right choice for you.

The heirloom Cowhorn Okra is a reliable variety that tends to be more forgiving for the home gardener. The pods will stay tender up to 10 inches and doesn’t have to be harvested quite as often. This variety is great if you’re growing okra for the first time.

If you transplant your okra seedlings in the Spring, be sure to check the weather to know that the danger of frost has passed and the okra plants are firmly rooted in their start trays. Test the plants by very gently tugging on the base of the stem and if all of the roots and soil stay in tact, they are likely ready for transplant into the ground.

Stepping Up Okra

If the danger of frost has not quite passed but your okra plants are outgrowing their cells, transplanting them temporarily into 4″ pots will give the root system more time to develop while staying in a controlled environment.

Hardening Off Okra

Because okra doesn’t tolerate the cold very well, they need more time to adapt to the cooler air outside of the greenhouse. This adaptation process is called hardening off. For okra, it’s best to let the plant dry out slightly, stop fertilizing, and put them outside during the day to let cooler air circulate around them to help with the transition.

Row Spacing – 3 to 4 feet
Plant Spacing – 12 to 24 inches
Planting Depth – Transplant at soil level

Raised Bed & Container Planting

Row Spacing – 2 feet
Plant Spacing – 12 inches
Planting Depth – Transplant at soil level

Okra should be harvested when the pods are still tender and haven’t gotten too large to become fibrous. Each variety, however, is different when it comes to what size is best for eating or preserving. Cowhorn Okra, for example, can stay tender with the pods being as long as 10 inches whereas Green Fingers Okra should be harvested when the pods are between 2 to 3 inches. Be sure to check the seed packet or the product page for the maturity date to give you a better idea of how long it takes that specific okra to reach full maturity. You can also keep an eye on the flowers and once they start to drop, it’s a good sign that you should start harvesting in the next couple of days.

Harvest your okra using a sharp knife or pruning shears and be sure to make a clean cut. Don’t yank the fruit and damage the stem, as it can introduce harmful bacteria while storing. Okra pods are delicate so be careful when handling the pods so they don’t bruise. Because okra has spines and can cause irritation to your skin, we recommend wearing gloves while harvesting to avoid discomfort.

After harvesting your okra, be sure not to wash it right away if you’re intending to store it. Washing it will cause it to get slimy and will mold. You can store okra in the fridge for up to 3 days in a ventilated bag. Okra also stores well in the freezer either by just freezing the pods or blanching beforehand. Pickled okra is a staple in Southern kitchens and is a great way to enjoy your okra throughout the year.