What is the secret to growing okra?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.The process of growing okra starts with knowing where its tropical roots come from. The heat-loving vegetable grows best in USDA zones 5-11. I've produced a bumper crop in clay-heavy Texas soil by adding composted oak leaves to improve drainage and vegetable pod production increased by about forty percent.
Soil Preparation
- Test pH between 6.5-7.0 using kit from local extension office
- Mix 3 inches compost into top 12 inches of soil
- Avoid fresh manure, it encourages leafy growth over pods
Sunlight Needs
- Minimum 8 hours direct sunlight daily
- Morning sun dries dew to prevent fungal issues
- Reflective mulch boosts light exposure in cloudy regions
Pruning shears are superior to knives when harvesting. Their sharp blades will provide a clean cut that will heal more quickly. After each use, I disinfect the blades of my shears with rubbing alcohol. This routine fits with my efforts to prevent bacterial wilt from spreading in my Arkansas trial plot.
Geographic adaptation is important. In the Gulf Coast region, a gardener would plant during March, while their northern counterpart would wait until June. A cousin of mine from Minnesota uses black landscape fabric to warm up the soil more quickly, while growers in the Florida region provide shade for their plants when afternoon heat indexes exceed 95°F and will not stop climbing in temperatures.
Read the full article: How to Grow Okra: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
