Cowhorn Okra

Be sure to check out our Okra Growing Guide for more tips & tricks on successfully growing okra at home.

Cowhorn Okra is an heirloom, open-pollinated variety known for it's long, tender pods. This okra variety dates back to the 1900s and produces pods with spines or ridges. While other varieties may become tough when pods get long, this variety will maintain tenderness at 10" long. Pods are at optimal tenderness when harvested about 6" long. This is a great variety for pickling in larger jars. It is also excellent when stewed or used for making okra and tomatoes over rice. Cowhorn Okra pods will tend to curl at the ends, hence the name "cow horn."

Cowhorn Okra may be direct-seeded or transplanted. In early spring, we recommend transplanting to get a jump start on the growing season. Okra prefers warmer temperatures for seed to germinate. By transplanting, you can have plants in the ground before the soil temperature warms enough to direct seed. We recommend starting transplants 4-5 weeks before the desired outdoor planting date. Okra transplants grow great in our heavy-duty seed starting trays, where they develop a solid root ball with roots that are trained to grow downward. Plants are ready to go in the ground when they can be easily pulled from the cells in the seed starting tray.

For late spring and summer plantings, direct seeding is preferred. Cowhorn Okra can be easily planted with a walk-behind planter like our Hoss Garden Seeder. We suggest succession planting okra throughout the warmer months. Once plants get tall, they may become less productive and harvesting will become more difficult. As a result, we recommend planting a crop of okra in spring, summer and again in fall.

Cowhorn Okra Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed or transplant

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/2″

Seed Spacing: 12-18″

Row Spacing: 3′

Days to Maturity: 55

Disease Resistance: None