If you’re like me (in love with gardening), there’s nothing more satisfying than watching your okra flourish in the summer heat.
For those who don’t know, growing okra can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s not without its tricks. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out on your journey, the tips I’m about to share with you can help you get the most out of your okra crop.
Okra Growing Tips
Here’s how you can grow a bumper okra crop that’s going to provide you with tasty okra all season long:
Tip 5: Pick The Variety According To Your Climate
Picking the right okra variety that’s suitable for growing in your particular climate is crucial for success.
Varieties like “Red Burgundy” or “Cow Horn” are generally best suited for warmer, dryer climate conditions, whereas others like “Burmese” or Dwarf Heirloom” are reported to do well in cooler areas.
Ensure the variety you choose to go with is well-adapted to your local environment so that it can thrive and produce large harvests throughout the growing season.
Tip 4: Get The Soil Right
Okra tends to thrive in well-drained and fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Before you actually go about planting your okra, consider enriching your soil with organic compost or well-rotted manure to not only improve fertility but also water retention capabilities.
Try your best to break up compacted soil and keep it relatively loose. It will allow the roots to spread freely and efficiently absorb nutrients from the soil.
Tip 3: Protect It From Cold
Okra is a heat-loving plant that generally performs best in warmer conditions. Experienced gardeners prefer to keep okra in the sun and protect the crop during cold snaps.
Row covers and frost cloths can come in handy for this purpose. Shield okra from the cold, especially if the plant is still young and maturing. Also, once established, try to provide the crop with as much full sun as possible.
Tip 2: Try Not To Overcrowd The Plants
Okra plants can grow quite tall and bushy, which means if they’re planted too close together, there’s a high chance they will become overcrowded as they mature. This can limit their growth potential, reduce airflow, and ultimately affect the size and yield of the pods.
Proper spacing of at least 14 to 18 inches between each plant is essential to provide them with the room to thrive and produce bountiful harvests later on.
Tip 1: Harvest Quickly!
Okra pods are known to grow and mature rather quickly, so it’s extremely important that you harvest them often. Waiting too long to pick the pods will result in tough and fibrous pods that taste unpleasant when eaten.
You should aim to harvest okra pods every 2 to 3 days once the plants begin producing and be diligent and consistent with this harvesting routine. Remember, the more frequently you pick, the more the plant will continue to produce fresh, new pods, ensuring a grand harvest.
Final Words
As I said, despite experimenting with tons of different plants and vegetables in my garden, growing okra has been an incredibly rewarding journey for me, and I’m sure it’ll be the same for you.
The vibrant green plants, the rich, hardy pods, and that fresh summer taste — it’s all worth the effort and perhaps some more! By implementing these tips in your care routine, you’ll be well on your way to a bumper crop. Here’s to a thriving crop and a summer full of delicious okra!
