To start seeds inside, plant the seeds in peat seed starter and keep them well-watered. Put them in a warm, sunny room or use grow lamps to keep them warm during the germination period. Keep the temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When the weather warms up and you’re ready to transplant the seedlings, follow the same steps you’d use to grow okra from seed outdoors.
Neglecting to add nutrients to the soil may result in okra plants that don’t produce a lot of fruit.
If you want to speed the germination of your seeds, you can soak them overnight the night before planting, or freeze them to crack the shells. If you’re transplanting seedlings, do not break their tiny taproots. If they get crushed, the seedlings will not grow. [1] X Research source
It’s best to water okra in the morning so that the plants have time to dry before nightfall. If the water stands in the garden bed overnight, it could cause the plants to start rotting. When you water okra, try not to get water on the leaves. When the sun starts beating down on the okra plants, the water will act as a magnifying glass and burn the okra leaves.
You can also side dress with more bagged fertilizer or slow release fertilizer. Don’t side dress the plants too often; three times is enough. Adding too much compost or fertilizer can hurt the plants more than it helps.
Harvest the pods when they are 2 to 3 inches (5. 1 to 7. 6 cm) long. Harvest the okra every other day, and every day in warm climates and during the peak of the season, to encourage fast regrowth. You may even need to harvest twice per day to keep up with growth at the peak of the season. If the pods get too big, they will become woody and tough. You might want to wear gloves and long sleeves when you harvest the okra. The leaves and pods are covered with spines that can irritate the skin. [3] X Research source
Fried okra Gumbo Stewed okra
