How to grow Okra
How to grow Okra - Description
Okra, or "Gumbo", has its roots in Northeast Africa. Cultivation spread into the eastern Mediterranean regions. It has been used for thousands of years.
A member of the mallow family, it is closely related to flowering hibiscus.
It was introduced to Brazil in the mid-1600s and it is likely that the French colonists of Louisiana introduced it to America.
Popular in the Southern United States, but gaining popularity in Europe with the popularity of Asian cooking, it can be served breaded and fried, or as a component of a recipe such as soups, stews or relishes.
Okra is a typical ingredient of Cajun and Creole dishes.
Because it is considered too gooey, it is rarely served alone.
Four to six plants are usually enough for most families; way too many for others.
How to grow Okra - Crop Rotation
Okra is a member of the Miscellaneous Family, and it is recommended that it should not be grown in the same soil for at least three years.
How to grow Okra - Soil Preparation
Well drained sandy loams high in organic matter are the most desirable.
It is difficult to get good stands on heavy clays.
Poorly drained soils may result in drowning of the plants.
Dig to a spades depth and work-in well rotted compost or manure to improve the soil structure.
Apply a general purpose fertilizer, such as Growmore with its 7-7-7 composition, or Blood, Fish and Bone if you feel the need to be truly organic.
How to grow Okra - Sowing Seed
Always start okra from seed - it does not transplant well.
The seed should be planted directly in the ground outside about 2 weeks after all danger of frost has passed and there is some heat in the ground.
Okra plants prefer warm temperatures and grow quickly so there’s no rush to plant them before the weather has settled.
Soaking seeds overnight will hasten germination.
The basic rule is to keep plants separated from each other by about 40 cm (16 inches).
Plant in rows 40 cm apart, and plant seeds about 50cm (18 inches) apart within each row.
Okra seeds are relatively large and easy to handle.
They will germinate well if the soil is warm enough.
Plant the seeds about 1 cm (half an inch) deep, about three seeds at each spot.
In most cases all three germinate, and when the plants are about six inches tall thin them to only one plant every 18 inches.
How to grow Okra - Mulching
Plastic mulching has been proven to increase yields and encourage earlier production. Non-woven fabric membrane is even more effective as it allows rainwater to seep through into the ground.
If drip irrigation is used in conjunction with the mulch, the porous tube should be centred between the rows and buried approximately 2 to 3 inches deep.
How to grow Okra - Cultivation
Okra needs warm weather to grow well. This means that in northern climates some years will provide a poor harvest.
The main thing you can do to help is to keep the bed weed free and mulched as much as possible.
A liquid feed of Miracle Gro when about 20 cm (8 inches) tall, followed by a repeat 2 weeks later will see the plants of to a good start.
If a later feed is given, ensure that it is has a low nitrogen content, as nitrogen will encourage plant growth and reduce the fruiting activity.
Watering is only needed occasionally.
Most varieties will start yielding about 60 days after planting.
The flowers are large, pale yellow and fairly ornamental (see picture to right).
Each flower blooms for only one day and eventually forms one okra pod.
The plants can eventually grow quite tall; 2 metres (6 feet) or more, but will stop growing as soon as the temperature starts dropping down below 10°C (50°F).
How to grow Okra - Harvesting
Pick the pods when they are approximately 8cm (3 inches) in length.
The key to maintaining okra production continuously throughout the summer is to harvest regularly.
Only 3 to 4 days are required from the time the okra flower opens until the pod reaches harvest maturity.
For this reason, okra must be harvested at least every other day during the growing season.
Failure to remove mature pods from the okra plant will cause reduced yield and quality of pods which set on the plant later.
The pods are either cut or broken from the plant and should be refrigerated or used as soon as possible after harvest.
How to grow Okra - Storing & Preserving
Harvested okra deteriorates rapidly, and normally it is stored only for short periods.
If the pods are in good condition, okra may be stored in the refrigerator in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel in a perforated plastic bag for 2 to 3 days.
Okra can be frozen for long-term storage. Only freeze freshly picked okra.
Wash, cut the stems off, being careful not to cut into the seed chamber, otherwise the seeds may spill out.
Blanch by putting into rapidly boiling water for about 3 minutes.
Remove and cool immediately by placing under cool running water.
Pat dry, optionally make a cut lengthwise, pack in plastic bags, seal tightly and place in the freezer.
Frozen okra should keep well for up to a year.
Okra can also be pickled for long-term storage.
How to grow Okra - Kitchen Notes
Wash the pods thoroughly in the water in order to remove dust, soil and any residual insecticides.
Trim the crown end and tips. The pods are generally cut into small circular sections and used in variety of cuisines in Indian and Asian countries.
Here are some serving tips:
Okra pods are one of the widely used vegetable in tropical countries. Chopped or sliced pods are then stewed or fried in low heat oil in order to remove mucilaginous content. It then, can be mixed with other vegetables, rice or meat.
In Caribbean islands okra is cooked up and eaten as soup, often with fish.
Okra leaves may be cooked in a similar manner as the greens of beets or dandelions. The leaves are also eaten raw in salads.
