will grow best in soil that has been worked8 to 10 inches deep.

Remove all rocks and trash from thesoil, and then rake it soil smooth.

PlantingFor the best yields, plant okra in the

spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frosthas passed. For a good fall crop, plant atleast 3 months before the first fall frost.

Plant the okra seeds about 1 inch deepand 2 inches apart in the row (Fig. 1).Space the rows at least 3 feet apart.

Okra is a warm-season vegetable thatgrows well in most Texas soils. Afair source of vitamin A, it can be

eaten in many ways, including boiled,fried, and cooked in soups, gumbos, andcasseroles.

VarietiesThe best okra varieties to grow in

Texas are Annie Oakley (Compact), Blondy(Compact), Burgundy, Cajun Delight,Clemson Spineless, Emerald, Lee, LouisianaGreen, Stewart’s Zeebest (Heirloom), andVelvet.

Site selectionFor good yields, okra must grow in

full sunlight in fertile, well-drained soil.

Soil preparationWork the soil only when it is dry

enough not to stick to garden tools. Spadeor turn the soil as deeply as possible. Okra

Joseph Masabni, Assistant Professor and Extension Horticulturist, The Texas A&M University System

E-51311-10

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OKRA • OKRA • OKRA • OKRA • OKRA • OKRA

Easy Gardening

Figure 1. Plant okra seeds about 2 inches apartand 1 inch deep.

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Scatter the fertilizer evenly between therows. Mix it lightly with the soil. Water theplants after fertilizing.

InsectsMany insecticides are available at gar-

den centers for homeowner use. Sevin is asynthetic insecticide; organic options in-clude sulfur and Bt-based insecticides. Sul-fur has also fungicidal properties and helpscontrol many diseases.

Before using a pesticide, read the labeland always follow cautions, warnings, anddirections.

DiseasesDiseases on okra are most severe in

cloudy, damp weather. Check the plantsdaily and treat them with an approvedfungicide if diseases appear. Neem oil, sul-fur, and other fungicides are available foruse. Always follow label directions.

HarvestingOkra plants will produce large flowers

about 2 months after planting. The okrapods will be ready to pick 3 to 4 days later.

When the okra is up and growing,thin out the plants to about 1 foot apart(Fig. 2).

FertilizingBefore planting, use 2 to 3

pounds of fertilizer such as 10-10-10or 15-5-10 for each 100 square feetof garden area. Spread the fertilizerevenly over the area, and then mixit well into the top 3 to 4 inches ofsoil.

WateringOkra will do fairly well under

dry conditions. However, if you water theplants every 7 to 10 days, the yield will behigher. Sandy soils will need water moreoften than clay soils.

Care during the seasonCultivate around the okra plants to

remove weeds and grass. To avoid damag-ing the okra roots, pull weeds close to theplants by hand.

After the first harvest, apply 1 cup ofgarden fertilizer for each 10 feet of row.

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Name and description Control

Green, pink, red, orbrown; 1⁄8 inch long; softbodied; usually found onunderside of leaves; suckplant juices

Malathion

Brown, green or black;shield shaped; usuallyabout ½ inch long; dis-charge a foul odor; suckplant juices

Sevin

Stink bugs

Aphids

Figure 2. Okra rows should be 3 feet apart. Afterthe plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to 1 footbetween the plants.

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3 feet

Okra seed is easily saved for next sea-son by leaving some of the last pods on theplant until they get very large. Removethem and allow them to dry. The seeds willshell easily from the pods.

Other okra plant material such asleaves and stems can be put in a compostpile.

Harvest the podswhen they are 3 to 4inches long. If theokra gets too large, itwill be tough andstringy. Pick the okraevery 1 to 2 days oryields will decrease(Fig. 3).

Okra can bestored for 3 to 5 daysin the refrigerator.Okra that is too mature can be dried,cured, and used in flower arrangements.

Figure 3. Harvestokra when it is about 3to 4 inches long.

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AcknowledgmentsThis publication was revised from earlier versions written byB. Dean McCraw, former Professor and Extension Horticul-turist, and Sam Cotner, Professor Emeritus and formerExtension Horticulturist.