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  
                    T T
                    P  

(Best months for growing Okra in Australia - temperate 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

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20 Mar 17, mick cunningham (Australia - arid climate)
I grow them in Newcastle and they grew spindley I didn't realise until I grew them here in Tamworth it must have been lack of sunshine as here shorter more dense and prolific fruit. Possibly sunshine is issue
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20 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had Okra plants 2 metres high. They were in a block and were unstaked
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19 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Okra needs a long hot season to perform at its best. I planted it one time in January and there just wasn't enough season left. The plants were flowering and I did get a few but the main crop didn't grow and ripen because the weather had cooled down. try planting the seed in small pots earlier so that they can be planted out in late October or early November to achieve a long growing season. In the southern states the soil temperature often doesn't reach 15-17 degrees till about then.
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05 Feb 17, John droppers (Australia - temperate climate)
How to cook it is have tried it it seems to be guey slimey
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09 Feb 17, David (Australia - temperate climate)
How to Cook Okra Without the Sliminess: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F39BHPwfBfo
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06 Feb 17, Flo (Australia - temperate climate)
It is always slimy when boiled or steamed. It is often used in curries etc, masks the sliminess a bit.
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06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I have worked in a community garden with South Sudanese and they use okra in stews as it is to create a thickening effect. They also say that it is soothing for gastric problems. A lot of people say to soak it in vinegar for half an hour then pat dry and cook. Trust this helps.
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20 Jan 17, lucy (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been trying to grow an Okra plant many times &I'm very devastated when it's time of flowering, it seems, ants attract the flower ,ended up no produce at the end...what is the best advise u can share & give???& what organic fertilizer best2 okra...thanks
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06 Jan 17, Raj (Australia - temperate climate)
I am living in Melbourne and trying to grow okra from last few years But only five to six seedlings are growing from 30 seeds. Can I saw seeds directly in ground now or it's too late
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01 Jan 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bunnings has both seeds and seedlings.
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Showing 71 - 80 of 236 comments
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We start seeds in early august in the green house. They need around 27C to sprout. We transplant out in late September. We have been saving our own seeds, however our first batch of seeds came from Boondie Seeds. They have heirloom seeds so they are ideal for saving. Personally I prefer the Clemson Spineless as they seem to be more prolific with pod production. The others tend to just produce amazing looking leafy plants, but not as prolific pod wise.

- G'Day Farm

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