Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

Abelmoschus esculentus : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Okra in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

07 Mar 10, bazbina (Australia - tropical climate)
i grow my okra in Brisbane qld and get the best results-in sandy soil ,i love cooking them in my favorite best way to cook okra is the Lebanese way ,which you have to deep fry first as a whole until golden brown so the gummy feel goes away,and then you saute 1 slice onion,1 clove of garlic,coriander 1/2 kg cube sliced lamb meat,cook all together until meat are golden brown...next add 2 cups of water bring it to boil for 20 minutes with lid on until meat is tender .add some of your favorite spice such as cumin ,nutmeg,white pepper and after it has been reduced add 2 table spoon of pomegranate paste or tammerin Indian paste same taste ,and 3 soup spoon of tomato paste bring to simmer for 10 minutes ..served with rice dish on the side
26 Feb 10, Hoi (Australia - temperate climate)
I love okra, do you think if i start planting it now and it will last through winter? Or does it die during winter and spring back to life after that? I am not greeb thumb but trying my best... home grown vegies are the best in taste! my kids love it and so am i
26 Feb 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We're harvesting Okra most days now. I clip them off the plant when they're a bit bigger than my biggest finger and store them in the fridge. Once we have about 6-7 we cook them. Our favourite is with tomatoes: saute onion, then saute Okra a few minutes, add tomatoes and cook about 10 mins, let sit 5 mins. You can add spices like cumin/cardamon too if you like.
18 Feb 10, Jayaprakash (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
(Canberra) I planted Okra seed in November and harvesting now. Growth was slow at teh beginning due to cool night temperatures this time
26 Jan 10, Kathie (Australia - tropical climate)
My concern is not knowing when to pick. Grown from seed (packet) and then transplanted, they grew to about 60 cm very quickly and have a few 'fruit' on them. I left them sit on the plant and they dried and split. I do have more on now. I found the website from the queensland dpi a bit helpful. I can't put in the website but I googled growing okra - pages from Australia.
02 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for the tips! I've been worried about our Okra growing soooo slowly. I'll keep nurturing them and we look forward to them taking off once they are well established :-)
01 Jan 10, matt berry (Australia - temperate climate)
Have just tried growing okra in Perth and have had great success. Planted them against Nth facing wall out of direct sea breeze. I watered regularly and nursed them to about 40cm and then the took off. Now about 1.2 m. Will have first harvest next week.
31 Dec 09, skip (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown Okra for a few years and have had reasonable success. I buy the Clemson spineless seeds and have found a short pre-soaking helps germination. I have had my best success in growing seedlings in late spring (>20C) and kept away from the elements as the plants are whimps when it comes to cold. I plant out in mid-Nov (Adelaide hills). They are very slow at the beginning and you must be patient. I have found the fastest growth occurs when temps are >25C, but they hate dry hot wind. If you are willing to baby the plants with consistent watering (2-3 times/week) with liquid fertiliser (they're very heavy feeders) and get them to approx 12 inches they grow like a weed after that with little care. Pick the pods at approx 3" but discard any over 5" as they are very woody. Good luck
22 Dec 09, Dimpy (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted few okra seeds with seedling mix. They didn't show any groth for a month; then all of a sudden grown for about 3cm. But when transplanted in hot weather, none of them could survive. Any tips for saving them
15 Nov 09, Dmitri (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey i have a few Okra plants growing that i have just planted out in the back yard as seedlings and they are growing strong, i have found some small flower buds on the young plants and was wondering if this is common with transplants or if i should cut the buds off and allow the young plants to focus on growing as they are still quite small. My zucchini seem to be growing flowers already and they are only small, recent transplants. Has anyone experience anything similiar?
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