Your comments and tips

02 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)

I have heard of using black plastic as mulch, or no mulch, to help warm up the soil for Tomatoes. (The dark colours absorb more heat, whereas straw mulch reflects the sun's heat away). Then you mulch later on when the weather warms up. Maybe that will help with your Okra. Even 20C is very warm, for soil. Maybe you need to plant it a little later or in better sun?

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09 Oct 10, Dana (Australia - temperate climate)

Okra needs really warm weather and plenty of sun. Southern Victoria may be too cold for it to succeed. You could try starting the seeds early and planting in the hottest spot in your garden.

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24 Mar 10, Kathie (Australia - tropical climate)

Simple quick recipe - Wash the outside and dry with a paper towel. (If they are wet they seem to get extra gooey.) Fry up some bacon, then add sliced okra and fry further. I did try them deep fried in crumbs but that was in the southern states of America!

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07 Mar 10, bazbina (Australia - tropical climate)

i grow my okra in Brisbane qld and get the best results-in sandy soil ,i love cooking them in my favorite best way to cook okra is the Lebanese way ,which you have to deep fry first as a whole until golden brown so the gummy feel goes away,and then you saute 1 slice onion,1 clove of garlic,coriander 1/2 kg cube sliced lamb meat,cook all together until meat are golden brown...next add 2 cups of water bring it to boil for 20 minutes with lid on until meat is tender .add some of your favorite spice such as cumin ,nutmeg,white pepper and after it has been reduced add 2 table spoon of pomegranate paste or tammerin Indian paste same taste ,and 3 soup spoon of tomato paste bring to simmer for 10 minutes ..served with rice dish on the side

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26 Feb 10, Hoi (Australia - temperate climate)

I love okra, do you think if i start planting it now and it will last through winter? Or does it die during winter and spring back to life after that? I am not greeb thumb but trying my best... home grown vegies are the best in taste! my kids love it and so am i

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26 Feb 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

We're harvesting Okra most days now. I clip them off the plant when they're a bit bigger than my biggest finger and store them in the fridge. Once we have about 6-7 we cook them. Our favourite is with tomatoes: saute onion, then saute Okra a few minutes, add tomatoes and cook about 10 mins, let sit 5 mins. You can add spices like cumin/cardamon too if you like.

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18 Feb 10, Jayaprakash (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

(Canberra) I planted Okra seed in November and harvesting now. Growth was slow at teh beginning due to cool night temperatures this time

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26 Jan 10, Kathie (Australia - tropical climate)

My concern is not knowing when to pick. Grown from seed (packet) and then transplanted, they grew to about 60 cm very quickly and have a few 'fruit' on them. I left them sit on the plant and they dried and split. I do have more on now. I found the website from the queensland dpi a bit helpful. I can't put in the website but I googled growing okra - pages from Australia.

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02 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Thanks for the tips! I've been worried about our Okra growing soooo slowly. I'll keep nurturing them and we look forward to them taking off once they are well established :-)

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01 Jan 10, matt berry (Australia - temperate climate)

Have just tried growing okra in Perth and have had great success. Planted them against Nth facing wall out of direct sea breeze. I watered regularly and nursed them to about 40cm and then the took off. Now about 1.2 m. Will have first harvest next week.

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