Dwelling in a scorching local weather just like the low desert of Arizona, I take pleasure in rising crops that flourish within the warmth. Okra, which thrives in excessive temperatures, is one among my favorites, and only one or two vegetation present us with all of the okra we want. As a result of it grows so effectively, okra is a dependable companion plant and champion producer in my scorching summer time backyard. On this weblog put up, I’m sharing all my finest tips about the way to develop okra.
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All about okra
Okra is a tall, warm-season annual that produces lovely flowers. As soon as the flowers fade, they turn into a fiber-rich vegetable full of folate and vitamin Ok. Okra additionally slows down the digestion of carbs and sugars. That is one wholesome vegetable!
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is often known as gumbo, woman’s finger, and bhindi in several elements of the world. It’s a part of the mallow household and is intently associated to cotton, roselle hibiscus, and cocoa.
Okra is an annual plant that may develop as much as 6 toes (1.8 m) tall and has a variety of about 3 toes (1m). This heat-loving crop grows finest in heat climates with loads of daylight.
Attempt completely different sorts of okra
There are a number of sorts of okra to select from.
Clemson Spineless is a well-liked selection that’s straightforward to develop, matures rapidly, and has a excessive yield.
Emerald is a well-liked selection that’s proof against verticillium and fusarium wilt illnesses.
Burgundy has deep purple pods and is a novel selection to develop in your backyard.
Styles of okra for prime warmth and low humidity areas (such because the low desert of Arizona) embrace Pink Velvet and Texas Hill Nation Pink.
When to plant okra
Okra thrives in scorching climate, so it’s essential to attend till the soil has warmed up earlier than planting it exterior. The soil must be a minimum of 70°F (21°C) for the seeds to germinate. Within the low desert of Arizona, plant okra from the center of March by the tip of June.
When you’ve got a brief rising season, take into account beginning okra seeds indoors. Sow the seeds about 4-6 weeks earlier than your final anticipated frost date. Fill a seed starter tray with potting soil and plant the seeds about ½ inch (1 cm) deep. Transplant them to your backyard when the soil warms within the spring.
Okra rising ideas
Okra prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Loamy soil is ideal for rising okra, however it is going to additionally develop in sandy soil. In case your soil is heavy clay, amend it with natural matter like compost or well-rotted manure to enhance drainage.
Okra wants a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct daylight per day to develop effectively. Selecting a location with full solar publicity in your okra vegetation is essential.
Plant seeds ¾” (2 cm) deep and about 6” (15 cm) aside. Skinny to a minimum of one foot (30cm) aside, mature okra vegetation are tall and extensive and wish loads of room to unfold. Bear in mind that as a result of the vegetation develop tall, okra can shade different vegetation. If utilizing square-foot gardening, plant one plant per 1-2 toes.
Water okra to a depth of 8-12” (20-30cm). Preserve the soil moist however not soggy, and water your vegetation deeply as soon as per week if there’s no rain. Mulch effectively to preserve moisture and forestall weeds.
As your okra vegetation develop, you might need to take into account pruning them to maintain them at a manageable dimension. Prune the decrease leaves to encourage air circulation and forestall the shading of close by greens. Don’t be shy about pruning okra. New branches typically sprout under the prune, and also you’ll have extra okra harvests from every department.
Learn how to develop okra as a companion plant
Listed below are some companion planting concepts for okra:
Tepary Beans: These drought-tolerant beans develop effectively in the identical soil as okra and may make the most of the tall construction of okra vegetation to climb for assist.
Climbing Beans: Different climbing beans, comparable to French beans, Lima beans, and runner beans, will also be grown alongside okra to benefit from its peak and construction.
Candy Potatoes: Okra makes use of tall area whereas candy potatoes develop under floor, and their vines can climb and develop under the okra. This maximizes vertical area and improves soil well being, as candy potatoes aerate the soil, and the okra acts as a pure trellis.
These vegetation make nice companions for okra, as they’ve comparable soil and water necessities and may also help enhance soil well being. By planting them collectively, you possibly can create a extra numerous and sustainable ecosystem that advantages you and the setting.
Learn how to develop okra in containers
Okra grows effectively in containers of a minimum of 5 gallons (bigger is best if doable). Examples of containers embrace: a five-gallon plastic bucket, 12″ terra cotta or nursery pot, and a five-gallon develop bag.
To assist water container-grown okra, take into account including an oya, a terracotta vessel that step by step releases water over time. This moistens the soil with out overwatering, which is particularly essential for okra to supply tender, tasty pods. I exploit oyas from Growoya.
Okra harvesting ideas
As soon as okra flowers, it is going to be prepared for harvest in 3-4 days. The style of okra pods is finest when harvested at 2-3” (5-7 cm) lengthy. Okra pods longer than 4”(10 cm) start to be fibrous and inedible.
Professional tip: You need to use them for okra water for those who wait too lengthy to choose them. Study extra about making and utilizing okra water on this blogpost.
Make it some extent to reap okra day by day whereas it’s producing (leaving pods on the plant slows or stops manufacturing). At all times harvest okra by chopping with a knife or pruners (pulling the pods off can injury the plant).
Okra vegetation normally produce pods for about 8-10 weeks. Nonetheless, for those who take excellent care of your vegetation, you could possibly lengthen the rising season. Reduce them off on the base on the finish of the season (the roots will add natural matter to the soil) and transfer the vegetation to your compost pile.
Learn how to save okra seeds
Saving seeds from okra vegetation is a good way to protect the number of okra you might have grown and to economize on shopping for new seeds annually. Listed below are some steps to comply with when saving okra seeds:
Enable the okra pods to totally mature and dry out on the plant. The pods ought to flip brown and turn into laborious and woody.
As soon as the pods are utterly dry, take away them from the plant and reduce them off with backyard shears or scissors.
Subsequent, put dried okra pods in a paper bag or envelope labeled with the range’s identify and the yr.
Retailer the bag or envelope in a cool, dry place for a number of weeks to permit the seeds contained in the pods to totally dry and separate from the pod.
As soon as the seeds are totally dry, gently shake the bag or envelope to launch the seeds from the pods.
Retailer the seeds in an hermetic container (comparable to a glass jar), and preserve them in a cool, dry place till you’re able to plant them.
Storing and utilizing harvested okra
To keep away from spoilage, it’s best to not wash okra till you might be prepared to make use of it. As an alternative, wrap it in a dry paper towel and place it in a plastic bag or container within the fridge. For the highest quality, eat inside 3 to five days and wash earlier than utilizing.
Learn this text for my favourite recipe and tricks to keep away from the sliminess typically related to okra.
