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 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

21 Oct 10, Fred (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just bought a packet of OKRA seeds from the REJECT SHOP. The D.T. BROWN packet of 50 seeds cost A$1.50 only cheers
03 Sep 10, Mohan (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the right type of soil, I mean the pH for growing OKRA
24 Apr 20, Madut Liai (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Cranbourne East Victoria_ Melbourne Australia. I would like to grow up okra is our family favor food would you please help me to have a plan in my backyard. Thank you Madut Liai
24 Aug 10, Ray Kumar (Australia - temperate climate)
Okra grows well but beware of Curl Grubs lost half my plants approx (2 months old) to them before i realised what was happening! Treated the soil and the remaining plants gave abundunt fruit.
24 May 10, Anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I keep my okra plants in the vege patch for more than one season? Can they be pruned back and take a rest until next spring when they could releaf? Being related to hibiscus I thought this may be feasible. Many thanks for feedback.
27 May 10, Jean (Australia - tropical climate)
If it's warm enough okra can be grown as a perennial and will grow year after year. You just need to pick all the pods so it doesn't give up producing. You can cut them back to about 30cm and give them a good feed every so often. They'll grow into a sort of shrub.
28 May 10, anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thank you for this information, Jean. It certainly helps. Do you know if the same can be done with Rosellas - also being related to hibiscus as you will know. cheers
13 Jun 10, Andrea (Australia - tropical climate)
As no one else has replied, I will give it a shot. I haven't actually grown rosellas but my mother did when i was a child. It was grown as a bush like any other fruit tree as i recall , ie it was just left there to produce. It may have been pruned a little but i don't recall it looking like a pruned hedge ever.
08 Apr 10, Raji (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Okra seeds needs warm soil to germinate. Once it is established you can harvest until May. Easy recipe: wash dry cut the top off. Boil with sliced onion, split green chillies, coconut milk, curry leaves and salt. Do not put the spoon in the pan. Shake the pan instead if you want everything to mix well. after 10-15 minutes remove from stove and add lime juice. Enjoy.
03 Apr 10, Raelene (Australia - temperate climate)
Have tried for past three years to grow okra, with no success. Have asked many people, and no -one knows what it is or how to grow. Love it in stews and soups. This site has helped, but now have to wait until next spring/summer to try again. I am in southern victoria.
Showing 201 - 210 of 236 comments

Is it too late to grow OKRA now in Sydney - Blacktown area

- Mohammed

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