Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

Abelmoschus esculentus : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              S S S S S
T T               T T T
P P               P P P

(Best months for growing Okra in Australia - sub-tropical 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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Your comments and tips

08 Apr 18, Klaus (Australia - temperate climate)
I have only come across this Plant on Saturday 7th of April 2018 at my Eldest Nieces Place ! She gave me 3 Okra Pods ! Now I Googled it but where ever in Youtube , all I get is American input and not Australian ! I am guessing here now , Margaret , but I reckon one can grow this Plant pretty well all Year round and have it sheltered for the Winter in a Pot and while the Weather is nice and Sunny , put the Pot with that Plant in it outside and bring it in again in late Afternoon ! I am going to try this as soon as I get some Okra Seeds to Plant and try ! I have yet to try this Okra in my Cooking ! By the way , I live in NSW on the East Coast where we do not get severe Winters ! Port Stephens Area !
04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Under Okra on this site it says plant seeds Jan and Feb so have a go.
12 Dec 17, Daniella (Australia - temperate climate)
I found them this week at the central markets in adelaide, at the big Chinese grocer next to the food court (Kim wangs)
05 Nov 17, Chin (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy okra seedlings in adelaide?
06 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the seed selling companies on the internet. The seed collection company - Boondie etc.
02 Sep 17, Judith smith (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy okra plants or seeds in Victoria. Thank you
10 Feb 18, JUDY (Australia - temperate climate)
I got my seeds from Bunnings. They're not difficult to find.
04 Sep 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
The Seed Collection has okra seeds, and they are based in Victoria.
04 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I buy from Boondie Seeds (the internet) - $1 / packet for 10/20 seeds. $2 postage, so if you can, buy a few different variety of seeds to keep postage down - as in 10 packets will only cost you $2 in total. Have a look around the website.
07 Feb 18, John Manousso (Australia - temperate climate)
That is a better cheaper way to buy Okra then to buy them at a grocery store supermarket they charged me $5 for roughly 00.282 grams. All I wanted was to get the seeds so I can grow my own crop
Showing 51 - 60 of 236 comments

Hi I have very alkaline soils - will okra grow well enough in this. Any suggestions of what to add to keep them happy? Cheers R

- Rae

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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