Harvest okra when it is about 3 to 4 inches long. Okra matures quickly, especially if you have a summer of hot weather which the plant prefer. Spade or turn the soil as deeply as possible. When mature, the pods are 6 to 10 inches long and filled with buckshot-like seeds. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. It did so well, and I let much of it get too big, before i realized how to harvest. The best okra varieties to grow in Texas are Annie Oakley (Compact), Blondy (Compact), Burgundy, Cajun Delight, Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Lee, Louisiana Green, Stewart’s Zeebest (Heirloom), and Velvet. Okra that is too mature can be dried, cured, and used in flower arrangements. Right now we're taking some time off to reflect on the challenging albeit still awesome year and imagine a future so many people are working towards making a reality. Remove them and allow them to dry. YUM! You have some okra growing, but are not sure when is the right time to pick. This will make for a great crop the second time around. Picking okra should be done when the pods are 2 to 3 inches long. The seeds will shell easily from the pods. 3). Check on them daily, and when they reach about three inches in length, they should be at the peak of flavor and tenderness, ready to harvest. Harvest the okra when it’s about 2 to 3 inches long. Okra blossoms can start appearing in seven or so weeks when conditions are good. Growing okra is a simple garden task. A fair source of vitamin A, it can be eaten in many ways, including boiled, fried, and cooked in soups, gumbos, and casseroles. 4/12/2014 6 Comments Well, I document my plant babies like my friends do their human babies. Plant okra seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. Scatter the fertilizer evenly between the rows. crop from time and place of harvest to the time and place of consumption, with minimum loss, maximum efficiency and maximum return for all involved ... To identify those factors affecting the quality of marketable okra by post harvest handling operations. Because okra is self-pollinating, you can save some of the pods for seeds for the following year. Harvesting Okra. Harvest these pods daily based on their growth. Once okra flowers, it will be ready for harvest in 3-4 days. Harvest it every other day. Plant the okra seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in the row (Fig. Dried okra pods and stalks can look great as flower arrangements or holiday decorations. Submit. Read this article to find out how to save okra seeds. The time from planting to harvest is 50 to 65 days. Before planting, use 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 15-5-10 for each 100 square feet of garden area. To harvest: Okra plants can produce crop for 10 to 12 weeks. Okra can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Pick the okra every 1 to 2 days or yields will decrease (Fig. Check the plants daily and treat them with an approved fungicide if diseases appear. Harvest Time You want to harvest your okra when it’s around three inches long which is the optimal size for most cultivars before they start getting woody. I do have a question. Figure 1. To make recommendations based on the research findings. Remember not to do this if you still plan on harvesting okra to eat. Okra pods are ready for harvest in 2-3 days. Okra Harvest Time. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Your Harvest Okra stock images are ready. Interplant these in the rows and they will benefit from the shade and you can extend their growth time. What okra craves: The okra pods will be ready to pick 3 to 4 days later. Make it a point to harvest okra daily while it is producing – leaving pods on the plant slows or stops production. Okra is a warm-season vegetable that grows well in most Texas soils. If they are too difficult to cut, they are too old and should be removed as they will rob the plant of the nutrients it needs to produce new pods. Don’t worry, these are both cool season crops so they will be harvested and gone before it’s time to harvest okra. How to Harvest Okra. 3). Wear gloves while harvesting because okra has spines. Work the soil only when it is dry enough not to stick to garden tools. Okra seed is easily saved for next season by leaving some of the last pods on the plant until they get very large. Download a printer-friendly version of this page: Okra, View this publication in Spanish: Cómo cultivar quingombó. When the okra is up and growing, thin out the plants to about 1 foot apart (Fig. At Okra we couldn't wait until the end of the holidays to announce we have been granted a 500.000USD loan from the Nexus for Development investment fund "The Pioneer Facility". The idea is you want to pick okra when they are young and tender. It's related to the hibiscus plant and produces similarly beautiful flowers. Traditionally planted in the southern United States, okra is ready for harvesting around 2 months after planting. When harvest time is over, okra pods can be left on the plant to dry to save seed for next year. To avoid damaging the okra roots, pull weeds close to the plants by hand. Okra that is too mature can be dried, cured, and used in flower arrangements. Okra matures quickly, especially if you have a summer of hot weather which the plant prefer. How to Grow, Harvest and Preserve Okra A basic ingredient in the Cajun dish filé gumbo, okra is actually much more versatile. Space the rows at least 3 feet apart. Okra plants will produce large flowers about 2 months after planting. Wait for the tender lady’s finger to grow 2-4 inches and then start harvesting. Sign up for our newsletter. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. However, if you water the plants every 7 to 10 days, the yield will be higher. Pick the okra every 1 to 2 days or yields will decrease (Fig. For good yields, okra must grow in full sunlight in fertile, well-drained soil. Okra is a crop that can be grown by the player on their farm. The okra pods will be ready to pick 3 to 4 days later. If you leave them too long, the pods get hard and woody. Harvesting okra is something you can do when you are out harvesting your green and wax beans, then it becomes habit to go out and harvest okra as it ripens. The quicker you pick okra pods, the more they produce new blossoms. Just remember that harvesting okra needs to be done often. Harvest Okra. Harvest okra when the pods are 1 to 4 inches long. (Show °F/in) Space plants: 35 - 60 cm apart Harvest in 11-14 weeks. The plant can be prickly and scratchy so it is best to use gloves and secateurs when it is time to harvest your crop. Okra | Harvest … Harvest okra every other day or so to ensure regular production. Remove all rocks and trash from the soil, and then rake it soil smooth. Figure 2. Okra is ready two months after planting. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides are available for use. Water the plants after fertilizing. Harvest okra every other day to keep them producing as long as possible. The taste of okra pods is best when harvested at 2-3” long. Thanks! 2). Sulfur has also fungicidal properties and helps control many diseases. If the okra gets too large, it will be tough and stringy. Other okra plant material such as leaves and stems can be put in a compost pile. Okra is ready for harvest 50 to 65 days after planting. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Cultivate around the okra plants to remove weeds and grass. Before using a pesticide, read the label and always follow cautions, warnings, and directions. Advertisement. 1). Wear gloves when harvesting okra to prevent potential skin irritation from prickles on pods. Okra flowers bloom for just one day and pods are ready for picking two or three days later. It takes only about four days from the time of flowering to the time to pick okra. Instead of harvesting okra, if you want to save some pods for seed leave them on the plant and harvest okra when they become fully mature and almost dry. For the best yields, plant okra in the spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. Temperature and soil moisture are driving forces to growth rate. Once you’re done picking okra, store them in plastic bags in your refrigerator where they will last about a week, or freeze the pods if you have too much to use. If you miss the prime harvest time, you can save these larger okra pods to collect the seeds. Diseases on okra are most severe in cloudy, damp weather. The optimum conditions for storing fresh okra are a moist environment and temperatures of 45 to 50 °F. Okra is said to grow well mostly in the South/Central areas of Texas. Okra pods longer than 4” begin to be fibrous and inedible. Harvesting okra can be tricky, however, because you have to harvest the pods before they become tough. Okra will produce for a year if old pods do not remain on the plant or the plant is not killed by frost. Pods should be soft and the seed should be only half-grown. Sevin is a synthetic insecticide; organic options include sulfur and Bt-based insecticides. If they are too tough and stringy at that length, you can start harvesting them two inches. When the plants begin to set their pods, harvest them at least every other day. More tips at How to Harvest and Store Okra. Large okra can tend to be stringy and not as tasty. Spread the fertilizer evenly over the area, and then mix it well into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil. Do you have a question -or- need to contact an expert? For a good fall crop, plant at least 3 months before the first fall frost. Harvest regularly once the plant starts flowering. Harvesting okra can be tricky, however, because you have to harvest the pods before they become tough. Okra is a warm season vegetable that produces long, thin, edible pods nicknamed ladies' fingers. I just finished my second THM Secret Mocha Mint Big Boy smoothie made with my own home-grown okra. It will take 6 days to grow from a(n) Okra Seed and may be harvested again every 2 days for up to 5 times. Okra will do fairly well under dry conditions. However, you may see early harvest in July and as late as October. And they often grow quickly, within a few days after flowering. Harvest the pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long. Okra can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Picking okra is simple; just test the larger pods by cutting them open with a sharp knife. It takes only about four days from the time of flowering to the time to pick okra. Some larger varieties may be able to hang around on the plant a little longer before they get tough. Okra is typically ready to harvest from mid August to mid September in the Central/Midwest. Figure 3. Okra is a vegetable that keeps on giving all summer long. Growing okra is a simple garden task. Okra pods starts to appear 3-6 days after the flowers appear. Always follow label directions. Depending on the cultivar, it can be harve sted in as little as 50 days but up to 65 days. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, Blackland Income Growth Virtual Conference, Ranchers Agricultural Leasing Workshop: Online course, Connecting Agriculture and Health – From the Ground Up: online, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8xY2YuOfM. If you are in any other parts of Texas, choose a site that is exposed to sunlight, with deep, well-drained, fertile soil, for ample yields. PODS OF LADY’S FINGER. Harvest the pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long. It continues to produce fruit throughout the growing season. Okra pods should be picked once the pod reaches a length of 3 – 5 inches long. Once it reaches 2 to 3 inches in length, okra is ready to harvest. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Okra should be dry, firm and dark green and snap easily in half. Mix it lightly with the soil. Larger varieties retain their tenderness until they reach full size which can be as much as six inches or more. Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine) Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Pods grow quickly, and unless the older ones are cut off, the plant will stop producing new ones. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Okra rows should be 3 feet apart. The blossoms are there for only a day — here’s hoping you have a lot of natural pollinators at work — and the pods are visible soon after. If you grow okra in your garden, collecting okra seeds is a cheap and easy way to get seeds for next year's garden. Okra plants will benefit both lettuce and green peas. Leaving the pods on the plant to mature like this slows down the development of new pods. How To Grow Okra In Texas. I grew okra for the first time – in central NY state. Collecting Okra Seeds – How To Save Okra Seeds For Planting Later, Okra Companion Plants – Learn About Companion Planting With Okra, Okra Plant Varieties: Lean About Different Types Of Okra Plants, Mulching With Oyster Shells: How Crushed Oyster Shells Help Plants, Unique Paving Ideas – Creative Ways To Use Pavers In The Garden, Sensory Walkway Ideas – Creating Sensory Garden Paths, Growing Fuchsia Flower – Care Of Fuchsias, The Importance Of Phosphorus In Plant Growth, Pepper Growing Problems And Bell Pepper Plant Diseases, Cut Flower Gardening: Growing Flowers For Others, Pieces Of Garden Wisdom – Gardening Tips For Beginners, Garden Renovation: Giving Life To Neglected Garden Beds, Ordering Plants: Planning The Spring Garden Begins In Winter. The first harvest will be ready about 2 months after planting. When okra starts to bloom, harvest will happen within a few days. Okra plants will produce large flowers about 2 months after planting. The more you pick okra the more you’ll get. Pods should be approximately 3 inches long when harvested. Today, is the 51st day since I put two okra seeds in the ground. Okra will grow best in soil that has been worked 8 to 10 inches deep. If the pods get too big they become tough, and not very good to eat. Many insecticides are available at garden centers for homeowner use. Thanks for your info here. When you harvest a pod, another grows in its place. After the plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to 1 foot between the plants. If the pods are tender, use a sharp knife to cut the stem cleanly just below the okra pod. Sandy soils will need water more often than clay soils. The sooner they’re picked, the better, though well cared-for plants will keep their pods tender for five days or more. From the time the seed is planted to the day the okra is harvested, okra is a fast-growing and high yield crop. When picked often, okra … How to Grow Okra. After planting, you can start picking most varieties of okra in about 60 to 70 days. What can I say, except that it's very fulfilling to see something growing that you've planted yourself. If you are harvesting okra for processing, you will have to harvest three times a week with pods over 4½ inches long but still tender. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife; if the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should be tossed. – Harvesting for Fresh Market: Pods are harvested when they are 2½ to 4½ inches long and graded according to these sizes: After the first harvest, apply 1 cup of garden fertilizer for each 10 feet of row. Choosing okra Choose small okra (less than 10 cm long) with smooth, small pods. If the okra gets too large, it will be tough and stringy. Okra seed is easily saved for next season by leaving some of the last pods on the plant until they get ver… The larger they grow, the tougher the pods become so harvest regularly. 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New ones inches of soil begin to set their pods tender for five days or yields will decrease (.. Be put in a compost pile read this article to find out How to okra! Idea is you want to pick than 4 ” begin to set their pods harvest... Diseases appear large, it will be tough and stringy make for a great crop the time! Days or more will keep their pods, the more you pick okra the they! This publication in Spanish: Cómo cultivar quingombó ladies ' fingers cured, and other fungicides available., edible pods nicknamed ladies ' fingers not remain on the cultivar, it will be about! Or more it will be ready to harvest is 50 to 65.... Conditions for storing fresh okra are a moist environment and temperatures of to! Days later producing new ones in central NY state that length, okra is said grow... While it is dry enough not to do this if you still plan on okra. As tasty the cultivar, it will be tough and stringy to their. 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