Okra is a beloved summer vegetable across much of the southern United States. With its mild flavor and textual uniqueness, okra is a versatile ingredient in many classic dishes like gumbo, fried okra, and pickled okra. Okra is not only delicious but also adds visual interest to any garden with its pretty yellow hibiscus-like flowers and unique seed pods. However, okra can be a tricky crop for home gardeners to grow successfully. Timing is everything when it comes to planting okra. Plant too early when soil temperatures are still cool and seeds will fail to germinate or rot away. Plant too late, and your okra harvest will be sparse before the first fall frost puts an end to the growing season.
Luckily with a few key tips, you can still enjoy a bountiful okra harvest even if you got a late start. In this article, we will provide a complete guide to okra, including optimal timing, soil conditions, growing needs, and pest management. Read on to learn everything you need to maximize your okra crop this season.
When is it Too Late to Plant Okra?
Okra is a heat-loving plant that thrives in hot and humid summer conditions. It grows best when daytime temperatures reach 85-90°F and nighttime lows stay above 60°F. However, the most important factor determining the timing of okra planting is soil temperature. Okra seeds need warm soil of at least 65-70°F to germinate properly. In soil any cooler seeds will either fail to sprout or sprout erratically.
Therefore, the basic rule of thumb is to plant okra 2-3 weeks after your last expected spring frost date, when soils have sufficiently warmed. Of course, soil temperatures can vary depending on microclimates. Use a soil thermometer to take accurate readings and ensure your soil has reached the proper temperature before planting.
Here are some general guidelines for optimal okra planting times by region
- Deep South (AL, MS, LA, GA, SC): March 15 – July 15
- South Central (TX, OK): April 1 – August 1
- Mid South (NC, TN, AR): April 15 – July 15
- Mid Atlantic (VA): May 1 – July 15
- Southwest (NM, AZ): March 15 – June 1
- Florida: March 1 – July 15
Pay close attention to weather forecasts as well. Avoid sowing seeds if cooler temperatures are expected, as this can stall germination. If daytime highs are regularly in the 70s or below and nighttime lows are falling into the 50s, it is likely too late to start okra from seed.
However, you can still harvest okra by planting heat-hardy transplants up until 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Look for leggy seedlings at least 6 inches tall and opt for quick-maturing varieties ideally taking 50-60 days from transplant to harvest. This will allow time for pods to develop before the season ends.
Choosing the Right Soil for Okra
To give your okra the best start pay attention to preparing the optimal soil conditions. Okra needs fertile well-drained soil with a near-neutral pH between 6.5-7.0. Before planting, loosen soil and mix in several inches of aged compost or other organic matter to enrich and improve drainage.
You can also amend native soil by mixing in a balanced organic fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition Granules to provide nutrition and support microbial activity. Test soil pH and add lime if needed to reach the desired neutral range. Ensuring high-quality soil will pay off all season long with faster growth and higher yields.
Planting and Caring for Okra
Once soil temperatures are warm enough, you are ready to plant okra. For direct sowing, plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows spaced 2-3 feet apart. Okra has a long taproot and dislikes being transplanted, so sowing directly in place is ideal. Keep soil moist but not saturated as seeds germinate, which takes 7-14 days.
If using transplants, handle seedlings gently to avoid damaging the taproot. Space transplants 18-24 inches apart in rows. Water deeply after planting and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a liquid feed like Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition to encourage rapid growth.
As plants mature, provide 1 inch of water weekly. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings as okra is moderately drought tolerant. Side dress with an organic nitrogen fertilizer like cottonseed meal every 4-6 weeks to fuel pod production.
Harvest okra when pods reach 2-4 inches, snipping them just below the cap. Pick every other day to keep plants prolific. Prune top growth after harvests to encourage bushy growth.
Preventing Diseases and Pests in Okra
Okra is relatively pest and disease resistant when grown in optimal conditions. However, it is susceptible to a few potential issues:
Common Diseases: Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, root knot nematodes. Prevent diseases by improving soil health through compost, crop rotation, and cover cropping. Remove and destroy infected plants promptly.
Pests: Aphids, flea beetles, corn earworms. Use row covers as needed and practice good garden hygiene. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can control minor infestations. Attract beneficials like ladybugs.
The best offense is a good defense when growing okra. Focus on giving your plants the soil, nutrients, and growing conditions needed to grow robust and vigorous. Healthy okra plants are more resistant and can better withstand pest and disease pressures.
While okra is a heat loving crop best suited for summer, you can still enjoy a productive harvest with proper timing and care. Plant seeds or transplants after soil has warmed to at least 65°F and all danger of frost has passed. Prepare soil, control weeds, provide consistent moisture and nutrition. Harvest pods young and often. With this complete okra growing guide, you’ll be ready to incorporate this unique Southern vegetable into your garden.
Quick Guide to Growing Okra
- Plant okra in hot weather when evening temperatures are in the 60s or warmer.
- Space okra plants 10 inches apart in a very sunny area that has fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
- Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
- Okra loves the heat and can withstand a dry spell, but do your best to give plants 1 inch of water every week.
- Promote a more abundant harvest by regularly feeding with a continuous-release plant food
- Harvest okra pods when they are 2 to 4 inches long.
Learn more about how to get started!
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
What will you grow? Fresh plants delivered safely to your door.
Sandra Reaves: Not too late to plant okra
FAQ
What’s the latest you can plant okra?
Okra makes a great crop to follow cool-season vegetables, such as onions, turnips or broccoli, when they are harvested and the bed space becomes available in April or May. Okra can be seeded into the garden as late as July and still produce a good late-summer crop.
Is it too late to plant squash in June?
Agree – summer is when squash thrive. They don’t care for early planting. You can plant them any time from now till mid-July.
Can you plant okra seeds in July?
Okra is a warm season plant that cannot tolerate frosts, freezes, or even cool nights. It thrives on heat so should be planted well after the last frost each year, generally April-May in East Texas, but as late as July 4. Okra is easily planted from seed.
Why is okra so hard to grow?
If you don’t have at least 60 to 70 days with temps above 85°F in the summertime, you may struggle to grow okra.
When should I plant okra?
Plants like it when nights are at least in the 60s and days 85 or warmer. In the North, gardeners might wait until late June to plant, since pods appear within 2 months. Okra grows best in soil with a near-neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.0, although it will do fine in a pH as high as 7.6.
Will dehydrated okra have the same effects as fresh okra?
No, dehydrated okra has higher levels of carbohydrates, fat and ash, and lower levels of protein and ascorbic acid than fresh okra.
Can okra grow too early?
Timing is everything when it comes to growing okra. Plant it too early, and the seeds may rot in the cool soil before they even get a chance to sprout. Plant it too late, and your harvest might be cut short before the pods fully develop. Okra thrives in warm weather. It loves the heat and refuses to grow well in cold conditions.
What are the most common okra planting mistakes?
One of the most common mistakes is planting okra in compacted or heavy clay soil. Okra roots need well-draining soil to prevent water from pooling around them, which can lead to rot and disease. If your soil doesn’t drain well, mix in compost, sand, or organic matter to loosen it up before planting. Another mistake is forgetting to add nutrients.
Do okra plants wilt?
Know Your Enemy Two foes I’ve encountered in growing okra are fusarium wilt and root knot nematode. Fusarium wilt can cause yellow leaves and decay. I combat this by using compost and mulch, which improve soil health, aiding the plants to withstand diseases.
Are okra plants hardy?
Okra is a hardy plant, but it has its quirks. If you make the wrong move, your plants might not thrive the way you hoped. The good news? Most of these mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what they are. Let’s look at some of the most common okra-growing blunders and how to steer clear of them. Your okra harvest will thank you!