Okra is a plant that lasts all summer. When you harvest one pod, another grows in its place. It belongs to the hibiscus family and produces very similar beautiful flowers. Okra grows in warm climates but, even if you live in a northern region, you can grow it by sprouting the seeds indoors and then transferring the seedlings as soon as the weather conditions allow. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting the Okra
Step 1. Decide when to germinate the seeds
If you live in an area where summers are hot and winters mild, it is worth planting okra directly in the garden instead of starting planting indoors. You should bury the seeds in early spring, once the last frost has passed and when night temperatures are unlikely to drop below 13 ° C. If these conditions do not occur until late spring or early summer, then you should germinate the seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost. When the seedlings are robust and the climate milder, then you can move them outdoors.
- To get the sprouts to sprout indoors, place the seeds in peat containers and water them as needed. Place them in a warm, sunny room, or use indoor growing heat lamps to keep the temperature constant during the germination period.
- When the external conditions are warmer and you are ready to bury the seedlings in the garden, you can follow the same steps as for direct germination outside.
Step 2. Choose the spot in the garden that is most exposed to the sun
Okra grows best in full sun and in the heat. If you try to grow it in shady areas, you won't get much fruit (as long as the plant can survive). Plant the seeds in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Don't worry if it's very hot, this plant loves hot summers when the sun is scorching.
Step 3. Correct the pH of the soil
Okra thrives in soil with a slightly acidic pH (between 6, 5 and 7). Test the pH of the soil to see if it is sufficiently acidic; to raise the level you need to add bone meal or limestone. If you prefer not to intervene with drastic solutions, you can simply act on the quantities of compost which, over time, raises the pH.
Step 4. Enrich the earth with nutrients
Okra develops best in very rich soils, where there are many nutrients. You can incorporate compost, commercial organic fertilizer, or add a slow release 4-6-6 composition fertilizer. In any case, loosen the soil to a depth of 30 cm and mix a 10 cm layer of compost or fertilizer with the help of a rake, until it is well distributed.
If you omit this step, the okra will not produce many fruits
Step 5. Distribute the seeds or plant the seedlings
When the weather is hot, the time has come to bring the okra to the garden. Bury the seeds 1.5cm deep, spacing them 10cm apart. If you have germinated them indoors, handle each plant very carefully and place them 30cm apart in rows 90cm apart. Dig holes deep enough to contain the root system, then compact the soil at the base of the plants. Water to allow the soil to settle.
- If you want to speed up the germination of seeds, you can leave them to soak overnight before sowing or freeze them to break the shells.
- If you are transplanting the shoots, be very careful not to break the thin taproots, because if they break the plants cannot grow.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Okra
Step 1. Water the plants
Okra needs at least 2.5 cm of water per week; wet it every morning until the soil is well moistened, except after heavy rains. Okra can withstand drought for a while, but develops better if it has access to lots of water throughout the summer.
- It is best to water the plants in the morning so they have time to dry out before sunset. If the roots are left to soak overnight, they could rot.
- When watering the okra, try not to wet the leaves, otherwise, when the sun is high, the drops of water will act as a magnifying glass and the leaves will burn.
Step 2. Thin out the seedlings
When the shoots start to peek out of the ground and are about 7-8 cm tall, you can remove the smaller ones to encourage the development of strong and robust ones. Thin out the garden so that the remaining plants are spaced at least 30 cm apart in rows separated by 90 cm of space. If you have transplanted your sprouts after indoor germination, you can skip this step.
Step 3. Remove weeds and sprinkle with mulch
When the plants are still young, take care of the garden to eliminate weeds. Then cover the sod where the okra grows with a heavy layer of mulch, for example with pine needles. This way you prevent other pests from growing and taking over.
Step 4. Sprinkle compost on the sides of the plants
Since this plant needs a lot of nutrients to develop, you have to add compost throughout the summer. You should sprinkle it at the base of the plants three times: once after you have thinned out the crop, once when the first pods begin to sprout, and a third time in the middle of the growing season. To proceed with this operation, rake some compost around each plant, so as to enrich the soil.
- If you wish, you can use commercial organic fertilizer or slow release fertilizer.
- Don't overdo the compost, three applications are more than enough. If you put in too many nutrients you can do more harm than good to okra.
Step 5. Check for parasites
Aphids, bedbugs, and corn borers love to feast on your okra plants. These plants, however, are robust and, in general, do not succumb to the action of parasites. However, it is a good idea to control the population in order to save most of the crop. Check the stems and leaves regularly to make sure there are no holes, yellowing or other symptoms of infestation. You can remove the pests by hand or spray the leaves with soapy water.
Part 3 of 3: Collecting and Consuming the Okra
Step 1. Cut the okra several times
About 8 weeks after sowing the pods will begin to grow. When you see the first ones that are born and mature, you can start harvesting them regularly. Use a pair of scissors or hand shears to cut them right above the top, where their thick stem meets the branches of the plant. When you make your first cut, another pod will pop up in the same location. Continue to harvest okra throughout the summer, until you notice a slowdown in production and the plants stop fruiting.
- Collect the pods when they are 5-8cm long.
- Proceed every other day; during peak growth you can also harvest them every day to encourage their development.
- It is best to wear gloves and long-sleeved dresses. The pods are covered with thorns that can irritate the skin.
Step 2. Eat the okra while it is still fresh
Its texture and flavor are great within a couple of days of harvest. If you have a large production, you can use this vegetable to prepare classic dishes:
- Fried okra.
- Gumbo.
- Stewed okra.
Step 3. Put the pickled okra.
This technique is excellent for preserving the texture and flavor of the okra for months to come. You can use the same recipe as for gherkins, using a salty brine. Work it this way right after harvest for best results.
Step 4. Freeze it
If you have produced too much okra to eat it all or you want to have some even for the winter, then consider freezing it. To proceed with this operation you must first blanch the vegetables, immerse them in ice water to stop cooking and finally cut them into chunks. Arrange the pieces on a tray and place them in the freezer to freeze them individually before transferring them to a bag for long-term storage.
