turn gumbo is n’t always the first choice for a vegetable garden . It has a risky repute on the dinner table for being bland and slimy , and it is n’t well know outside of the South . But if you are n’t acquire okra , you should consider it . Prepared right , it ’s delicious , and it is n’t hard to farm .
Okra is aboriginal to Africa and get in in North America in the 1600s , bring by striver . In the Deep South , okra is commonly attend both as a side looker and a thickener for lather and gumbo .
I never imagine that I could grow okra in my backyard . We live in Ohio , and gumbo is a ardent - weather crop , or so I thought . I learn that Hibiscus esculentus thrives in any climate where corn grows , so that mean even Ohioans can grow okra plant if they want to give it a endeavour .
So , if you ’re concerned in giving this Hellenic southern crop a go in your backyard garden , read on for everything you postulate to hump about grow okra .
The Best Okra Varieties
you’re able to get hold many varieties of okra , but there are a few that are more democratic than others . check that you pick a mixed bag of okra that is suited not only to your climate but also to your tastes and plans . Pod sizing and vividness might be relevant to you , as well as the texture of the Hibiscus esculentus . Here are a few popular okra variety .
Annie Oakley II
This variety strike 52 days to make maturity and features spineless pods . The plants extend to heights of 4 infantry magniloquent on average .
Clemson Spineless
Many gardeners love the Clemson spineless variety , which does well in most of the southern state of matter , as well as the lower midwestern states . This plant reaches a altitude of 4 foot and spread out up to 4 foot in diameter . It ’s an heirloom variety that is quick to reap in 55 - 60 daytime .
Cajun Delight
Here is a variety that get spineless , dark - unripe pods , and the works reaches heights of 4 metrical unit marvelous . It ’s an first-class choice if you have a unretentive growing time of year in colder climates because it matures in 50 - 55 days . The pods are 3 - 5 inches long .
Louisiana Green Velvet
If you desire a mixture that is dear for big area , this one is know for its vigorous development . plant reach height of 6 feet improbable . The pod are smooth and spineless . This plant carry yield abundantly and matures in 65 days .
How to Plant Okra
countenance ’s get quick to grow okra !
Growing Zones
The plants in the mallow house , including okra , develop in zone 3 - 9 .
Sun Requirements
Okra requires full sun , so when you select a locating for raise this crop , verify that it experience 6 - 8 hr of sun . piece the sunny point you’re able to for grow okra .
Soil Requirements
Okra grows in regular garden soil , but it does best in fat loam . Ideally , plant it where anitrogen - neutering cropgrew previously , such as peas . Okra does substantially in well - draining stain that ’s rich in constitutional affair . The footing should be on the acid side with a pH degree between 5.8 - 7.0 .
To achieve the good grime for your plants , go around generous amounts of compost or other fertile constituent matter . Make trusted you soundly mix it all into the grunge before found everything . Layering in compost not only improves the alimental composition but also the grain of your grunge .
When to Plant Okra
If you live in the South , plant okra in the other bound and then plant a second crop in June . you could grow it 3 - 4 week before the last spring rime date , as long as you report the plant with a cold frame or a grow tunnel until the temperature are warm enough .
If you survive in cold area with a forgetful growing time of year , embark on the seedlings indoors six weeks before you plan to set them outside . They should be put outside 3 - 4 weeks after the last frost date .
The plants like it when the Nox are at least in the 60s . During the twenty-four hour period , okra favor the temperature to be in the 80s . To get through these temperature , northerly gardeners might need to waitress until former June to plant . fuel pod appear within two calendar month , so do n’t worry too much !
Planting Okra Seeds
If you ’re start seeds in pots , sow two seeds in each container . If both sprout , clip off the weakly or minor seedling . When you take away the plants from the gage , be deliberate because they have fragile taproots .
When you plant okra into the footing , verify that the territory has warmed up . The temperatures need to be at least 70 ℉ . Before you plant them in the priming coat , soak the seeds overnight in water . Another option is to chip each seed pelage with a file cabinet . Either method encourages germination .
seed the okra seeds ½ column inch deep in clear soil and 1 in deep in hard soil . check that to space each source at least 3 inches apart , and the rows should be 3 feet asunder . Once the seed sprout , thin out the seedlings to 18 - 24 in asunder . Always appear for the stronger industrial plant when slenderize .
Growing Okra in Containers
If you do n’t have horticulture space , growing gumbo in containers is a adept root . piece a pot that is at least 3 gallons in size . The ideal pick is a 5 - gallon dope that is 10 - 12 inches deep .
You should pick a nanus Abelmoschus esculentus change or one that wo n’t grow above 5 foundation tall . It ’s important to recollect that osmium does n’t transpose well , so you need to engraft the seeds at once in the container or a biodegradable muckle .
How to Care for Okra
Now that you have your gumbo plant in the solid ground , you have to learn how to take maintenance of your plants . countenance ’s take care at the watering and fertilizing needs .
Watering Okra
Okra adapt well to hot conditions and does n’t command a ton of water . If you have a dry go during the summer , verify to water . Otherwise , plants need one column inch of water per hebdomad , but they might need a turn more if you live in a hot , arid neighborhood . Keep out a rain gauge to learn if watering is necessary .
Mulching Around Okra Plants
One essential trick for health okra plants is to mulch around them . When your Hibiscus esculentus plant is around 4 inches tall , mulch around the plants to keep gage at bay and conserve moisture . utilise a layer that is 2 - 3 inches gamy .
Fertilizing Okra
Okra is n’t a heavy feeder , but it does benefit from compost . you could side dress out the plant with compost every four weeks . If you do n’t have compost , you may use a 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer or aged manure , which is available by the bag at most farm and fleet stores . architectural plan to apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly .
The Best Companion Plants for Okra
Planting okra near these companion plants help boost harvests . Some of these plant help oneself to push back vernacular pests that plaque lady’s-finger , or they might add together nutrients into the soil that gumbo plants require . Here are some examples of the best fellow traveller plants for okra .
Do n’t plant okra with Allium sativum or rhubarb plant .
Common Okra Garden Pests and Diseases
Okra does some have common garden plague and diseases that might cause some damage to your industrial plant . Let ’s take a smell at some of the one you need to view for diligently .
Aphids
aphid are one of the most coarse pests that bother okra plants . These are diminished , soft - bodied insects on the underside of the leaves and stems . A severe infestation grounds leaves to change by reversal yellow , and you might get hold a glutinous essence on the leaves that further the growth of mold .
you may find out many constitutional method acting to plow aphid . judge using reflective mulches , such as silver plastic , to discourage aphids or pink the aphids with a honey oil of water . Insecticides typically are only require if the plague is severe because most plants can put up a low or medium plague . You also can try insecticidal soaps or neem vegetable oil to contain the aphid universe .
Charcoal Rot
If you discover discoloration of the stem at the land line or cankers on the stem , you might have charcoal rot . This disease can get the leave to wilt and cast from the flora . It ’s a fungus that also bear upon other plant life such as dome and tobacco . The best way to defeat charcoal rot is to rotate garden beds to fend off building up the fungi in the grime and to forefend urine stress .
Corn Earworms
The larvae of corn whisky earworms can damage leaves , buds , flowers , and pod . Gardeners require to look out plant life for ballock and immature larvae . you’re able to useBacillus thuringiensisto help ensure insects on organically grown plants . you could use an appropriate chemical substance treatment to control Zea mays earworms if you have large amount of money of crops .
Fusarium Wilt
If you detect wilt or necrotic edging on foliage , you might have fusarium wilt . old plants can have the wilting and leaf greensickness , but the wilt might be gradual . Fusarium wilt is a fungus that emerges during the warm temperatures , and it can be introduced through infect seeds or pollute equipment .
While there are n’t too many keen ways to get rid of fusarium wilt , you’re able to essay fumigating the grunge to reduce disease incidences . ensure to use certified , disease - free seeds .
Spider Mites
wanderer mites show up as small bloodless or tan patch on growing Abelmoschus esculentus leave of absence and you ’ll often see net on flora . Spray plants with a attack of water oft . Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitical mites . Spray plants oftentimes with neem oil .
Stink Bugs
To control stink bugs , keep your garden clean to absent plaza where the bugs can obscure . Spray plant with a kaolin stiff solvent , ane introduce beneficial insects like lacewings , praying mantid and ladybugs to the garden .
Thrips
Thrips are tiny insects that suck the life sentence out of plant . Prune away heavily infect areas and spray plant with neem oil .
Harvesting Okra
Around 50 - 60 days after you constitute your gumbo , eatable fuel pod start to appear . As the lady’s-finger seedpod ripen , they get tougher , so it ’s best to harvest daily with a acute tongue . Do n’t allow for them to get larger than finger - sized . The stems should be crank and easy to hack .
Continue to harvest from your plant until the frost kills it . You should be able to get a bountiful harvest time from just a few plants . If you happen to overleap a few pods and they toughen up too much , toss them into the compost or to your chickens .
One of import tip is to wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt to harvest gumbo . While it might be blistering outside , most varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus are covered with diminutive spikelet that can cut and bother your skin . Unless you planted a namby-pamby variety , insurance coverage is the only direction to skip over out on this job .
Once harvested , Abelmoschus esculentus can be stored uncut and uncooked in the freezer . you may prepare them easily once frozen .
you could bake , fry , jam or knock okra . Cook them into Indian meal cakes , twine them in bacon , or grill them on the barbecue .
Final Thoughtson Growing Okra
Do n’t let your placement discourage you from growing Hibiscus esculentus . Even if you do n’t live in the South , you may have an abundant okra harvest this year . ensure you plant at the right time and avoid transplantation . With the proper lachrymation and inseminate techniques , learning how to grow okra is n’t as heavily as you might call up .
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