How to Grow:
You can get a head start on your growing season by starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost and transplant outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost. Okra can be planted all throughout the summer up until 12 weeks before your first fall frost. You can see specific dates for your location using our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 1 per square foot, in the full sun. Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. Seeds will begin to sprout in around 2-12 days. Water weekly.
Companion Plants:
Companion planting is a vital part of organic gardening. Companion plants assist in the growth of others by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or providing nutrients, shade, or support. There are also plants that do not like being next to each other. Some plants get too tall and can provide too much shade for your plant. Sometimes certain plants attract the same pests, so it is important to try and separate these. Herbs are especially great companion plants because they help to repel pests from your other plants!
| Good | Bad | |
| Acorn Squash | Marjoram | NONE! |
| Beans (Bush & Pole) | New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia) | |
| Butternut Squash | Oregano | |
| Cantaloupe | Peppers (Banana, Bell, Hot, Sweet) | |
| Cucumbers | Pumpkin | |
| Eggplant | Spaghetti Squash | |
| Goji Berries | Summer Squash (Zucchini) | |
| Honeydew Melon | Tarragon | |
| Lettuce | Tomatoes (Bush & Vine) | |
| Luffa (Loofah) | Watermelon | |
| Marigolds | ||
See companion plants for 80+ foods in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web app!
Pests:
Pests can be one of the most difficult challenges you face in the garden. We strive to grow food without the use of pesticide and luckily there are natural solutions for most of these nasty pests! The pests listed below are common pests for okra:
Learn more about how to manage pests and attract beneficial insects in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App!
Harvesting:
Okra will be ready to harvest in approximately 60-70 days after planting. Harvest the pods daily once they are 3 to 4 inches long. Larger pods become tougher in texture.
Cooking & Eating!
Learn more about growing over 80 different foods, including how to manage various pests in our FREE iOS, Android, or new Universal Web App!
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Carrie Spoonemore’s presence on the blog is marked by her compassionate approach to teaching and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of gardening. Her work continues to inspire a community of gardeners to pursue a healthier, more sustainable way of living, proving that with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can become a gardener and advocate for their health and the planet.
One thought on “Okra: How to Grow and When to Plant in Your Backyard or Patio Garden!”
This is a vegetable that I delayed growing almost all my life because I was told that it needs heat, such as in Oklahoma. However, I saw the seed annually in the hardware stores, so I figured that ‘someone’ must be growing it. When I tried it, it really did produce, although not as prolifically as it likely would have in a warmer climate. Since I suspected that it would not be very productive, I planted quite a bit of it.