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

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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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19 Nov 16, Cecilia (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you grow okra next to tomatoes and basil running out of garden space.
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16 May 16, Ayeka (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted okra seeds and realised belatedly that it's the wrong season for this vege. Is there any way I can salvage the plants? They have become strong seedlings, but I read that they don't do well in cold weather. Is planting it indoors until summer an option? Sorry, I am a total newb at gardening.
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29 Aug 12, Ravi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
No! - It is quite OK for okra to start fruiting early - just wait till the weather gets a bit warmer, the plants will then grow up so quickly. Mka esure you keep picking up the okra when they are still tender (4 - 5 inches max)
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10 Nov 09, Khurram (Australia - temperate climate)
Can we ask you for other vegetables as well?
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07 Nov 09, Peddo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sadia, do not pick yellowish okra, wait a bit longer for the greenish hue. Prakash, throw away any okra that you put ant killer on, what were you thinking? It is poison! Stop ants with a little spray of garlic. Easy to make, crush garlic, add olive oil and water. Dmitri, hey, these growing tips are answers to questions, you ask...you get an answer. How far apart? 30cm should do it.
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02 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)
Even if you're not growing organic, it is absolutely life-and-death important to only use the right chemicals and only use them EXACTLY as instructed on the packet. It is illegal to do otherwise, and for good reason! Farmers are required to undergo training to legally use things that home gardeners can buy off-the-shelf. Do not be fooled into thinking that because it came from the supermarket it's safe! (The same even applies to some organic controls.) Ant dust intended for on-ground application could stay on the plant and very toxic for a very long time, whereas a chemical intended for use on EDIBLE plants would be less toxic and break down faster or wash off cleanly.
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29 Oct 09, Dmitri (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey how come these growing tips never have spacing suggestions? How far apart should each Okra plant be?
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27 May 09, Prakash (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My okra plants came up very well, i saved them on very hot weather but i couldn't save them from ants & its all gone now. I used ant killer, spread them over the plants but ants were happily moving around & eating them.
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24 Apr 09, sadia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown okra and they are bit yellowish and bit hard too. Is it ok to eat
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I had great success planting early crop of Okra in 2011. I use the Burgundy Okra which is somewhat cold tolerant (Eden Seeds). I soaked seeds in warm water for 2 hours and heated up the ground or seed tray prior to planting (clear plastic) and maintained greenhouse conditions with a portable cover (very easy low cost cover) = significant increase in propagation. I cropped and ate these for 2 months and followed up by planting green Star of David Okra. Same method produced great propagation results BUT I have a problem with these at harvest. I'm hoping someone has an answer. The Star of David sprouted the fattest Okra Ive ever seen. I thought Id managed to grow giant Okra yet no matter how short I picked them they remained too hard to eat - huge unusable crop - I only collected seeds. U guys got any answers? I will plant a late summer crop of Burgundy Okra that can survive longest into winter. Combining the use of cold tolerant and green Okra I hope to crop for 8 months a year.

- Silversurfer

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