Okra: Red Burgundy (Heirloom) (Abelmoschus esculentus)
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$0.50 - $5.60
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Red Burgundy Okra has deep crimson pods on tall stems. Gorgeous yellow flowers accented with red are a favorite of the bees. Even if you don't eat okra, this plant is worth growing! The plants are very productive and produce 6" long tender pods that lose their red color when cooked. The pods are delicious in soup, stew or gumbo.
Scientific Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 55 days
Growing Habit: Bush. Hardiness: Tender. Okra is heat loving and can't stand any cold whatsoever (minimum air temperature 75 degrees F).
Crops: Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant. If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 65°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)
Water: High
Feeder: Heavy
Suitability: High heat, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: No
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Forage: Rabbits. Leaves only.
Plant Height: 48-60"
Spacing: 8"-12".
Sow Depth: 0.5" to 1.0".
Produces: 5-7" long deep red pods that turn green when cooked
Zones: 5-11
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 55 days
Growing Habit: Bush. Hardiness: Tender. Okra is heat loving and can't stand any cold whatsoever (minimum air temperature 75 degrees F).
Crops: Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant. If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 65°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)
Water: High
Feeder: Heavy
Suitability: High heat, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: No
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Forage: Rabbits. Leaves only.
Plant Height: 48-60"
Spacing: 8"-12".
Sow Depth: 0.5" to 1.0".
Produces: 5-7" long deep red pods that turn green when cooked
Zones: 5-11
Soil Preparation
Soil Preference:
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0, Ideal 6.8-7.2. Okra is a vigorous and fairly greedy plant, so the soil should be rich in all nutrients. It should also be well-drained and have a fairly neutral pH (Okra doesn't like acidic soil).
Soil Preparation:
Standard Mix, 1 handful(s), before sowing: A handful of standard mix in the planting hole will supply additional essential nutrients, including:
This is a mix of various amendments intended to supply all of the nutrients plants may require. It is usually incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The mix consists of:
Mix these together thoroughly. You can do this all at once, or you can store them separately and mix as needed.
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0, Ideal 6.8-7.2. Okra is a vigorous and fairly greedy plant, so the soil should be rich in all nutrients. It should also be well-drained and have a fairly neutral pH (Okra doesn't like acidic soil).
Soil Preparation:
Standard Mix, 1 handful(s), before sowing: A handful of standard mix in the planting hole will supply additional essential nutrients, including:
This is a mix of various amendments intended to supply all of the nutrients plants may require. It is usually incorporated into the soil prior to planting. The mix consists of:
- 4 parts cottonseed meal (this is high in nitrogen and relatively inexpensive)
- 2 parts colloidal phosphate or bone meal (for phosphorus)
- 2 parts wood ash or 3 parts greensand or granite dust (for potassium)
- 1 part dolomitic limestone (to balance pH and add calcium and magnesium)
- 1 part kelp meal (for trace elements)
Mix these together thoroughly. You can do this all at once, or you can store them separately and mix as needed.
Start Indoors
Seed Sowing Depth: 0.5" to 1.0". Sow the seed 1/2" deep in cool soil and 1" deep in warm soil.
Soil temp for germination: 60°F to 105°F, optimal 70°F to 95°F, optimal 86°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 0 (Spring/Summer), (Fall/Winter)
Germinate: 2-4 weeks before last frost date. Soaking the seed overnight prior to planting may speed germination. Sow the seeds in cell packs or soil blocks as Okra doesn't like root disturbance. Start seed 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost date and plant out about a month later.
Soil temp for germination: 60°F to 105°F, optimal 70°F to 95°F, optimal 86°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: 0 (Spring/Summer), (Fall/Winter)
Germinate: 2-4 weeks before last frost date. Soaking the seed overnight prior to planting may speed germination. Sow the seeds in cell packs or soil blocks as Okra doesn't like root disturbance. Start seed 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost date and plant out about a month later.
Transplant Outdoors
4 weeks after last frost date:
Rows: Space the plants 12"-18" apart, in rows 24"-36" apart depending on the variety.
Beds: Space the plants 18" apart (2 rows of plants down the bed works well).
Warm, Hot: Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant. If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
When outdoor temp: 65°F to 95°F, optimal temp 70°F to 85°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Spacing: 8"-12", 1 plants per sq ft. Sow the seeds directly in the soil once it has warmed up, about 4 to 6" apart, and then thin the seedlings as needed to allow each plant enough room. Plants should have a final spacing of 12".
Support: No
Rows: Space the plants 12"-18" apart, in rows 24"-36" apart depending on the variety.
Beds: Space the plants 18" apart (2 rows of plants down the bed works well).
Warm, Hot: Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant. If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
When outdoor temp: 65°F to 95°F, optimal temp 70°F to 85°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Spacing: 8"-12", 1 plants per sq ft. Sow the seeds directly in the soil once it has warmed up, about 4 to 6" apart, and then thin the seedlings as needed to allow each plant enough room. Plants should have a final spacing of 12".
Support: No
Start Outdoors
When Warm, Hot: Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant. If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
When outdoor temp: 65°F to 95°F, optimal temp 70°F to 85°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Seed Depth: 0.5"-1.0". Sow the seed 1/2" deep in cool soil and 1" deep in warm soil.
Spacing: 8"-12". 1 plants per sq ft. Sow the seeds directly in the soil once it has warmed up, about 4 to 6" apart, and then thin the seedlings as needed to allow each plant enough room. Plants should have a final spacing of 12".
Summer Crop: 3-5 weeks after last frost date. Okra can be direct sown if your growing season is long enough. Sow the seeds a month after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up to at least 60˚ F and the air temperature is 75˚ F. Plant 1/2" deep in cool soil and 1" deep in warm soil. Sow the seeds 6" apart and later thin to the desired spacing.
Support: No
When outdoor temp: 65°F to 95°F, optimal temp 70°F to 85°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
Seed Depth: 0.5"-1.0". Sow the seed 1/2" deep in cool soil and 1" deep in warm soil.
Spacing: 8"-12". 1 plants per sq ft. Sow the seeds directly in the soil once it has warmed up, about 4 to 6" apart, and then thin the seedlings as needed to allow each plant enough room. Plants should have a final spacing of 12".
Summer Crop: 3-5 weeks after last frost date. Okra can be direct sown if your growing season is long enough. Sow the seeds a month after the last frost, when the soil has warmed up to at least 60˚ F and the air temperature is 75˚ F. Plant 1/2" deep in cool soil and 1" deep in warm soil. Sow the seeds 6" apart and later thin to the desired spacing.
Support: No
Okra isn't difficult to grow, so long as it has hot weather (two months above 85 degrees), a fertile soil and a steady supply of water.
Water Needs: High. Okra must have a steady supply of water at all times. It shouldn't be too wet, however, as the plants are prone to fungus diseases when growing in cool moist conditions. Watering, regularly. Water, 0.5 inch(es), regularly, 2 times a week Okra is somewhat drought tolerant, but will produce more if kept well-watered. Watering also depends on your local weather; don't water if it's raining, or water more frequently if it's dry. Just be sure to keep soil moist for the best crop. The best way to know how much moisture is in your soil is to feel 2" below the soil line. If it's dry, water.
Fertilizer Needs: Heavy. Okra is a hungry plant and needs plenty of nutrients for best growth (it especially loves nitrogen). If your soil isn't very fertile give them a liquid feed every 2 to 3 weeks.
Side Dressing, soil is at growing temp: Mulch, 2 inch(es), soil is at growing temp. Apply mulch to keep the soil moist and keep down weeds
Side Dressing, after transplanting: Compost tea, 5 gallon(s) per 100 sq. ft., after transplanting, every 3 weeks. If the soil isn't very fertile give the plants a feed of compost tea or liquid kelp (use as directed) every 2-3 weeks.
Support: No
Water Needs: High. Okra must have a steady supply of water at all times. It shouldn't be too wet, however, as the plants are prone to fungus diseases when growing in cool moist conditions. Watering, regularly. Water, 0.5 inch(es), regularly, 2 times a week Okra is somewhat drought tolerant, but will produce more if kept well-watered. Watering also depends on your local weather; don't water if it's raining, or water more frequently if it's dry. Just be sure to keep soil moist for the best crop. The best way to know how much moisture is in your soil is to feel 2" below the soil line. If it's dry, water.
Fertilizer Needs: Heavy. Okra is a hungry plant and needs plenty of nutrients for best growth (it especially loves nitrogen). If your soil isn't very fertile give them a liquid feed every 2 to 3 weeks.
Side Dressing, soil is at growing temp: Mulch, 2 inch(es), soil is at growing temp. Apply mulch to keep the soil moist and keep down weeds
Side Dressing, after transplanting: Compost tea, 5 gallon(s) per 100 sq. ft., after transplanting, every 3 weeks. If the soil isn't very fertile give the plants a feed of compost tea or liquid kelp (use as directed) every 2-3 weeks.
Support: No
Harvesting
Ripening: When the pods get to be 6 to 8" long. Don't leave them too long or they will get woody.
Storage
Okra freezes well, just wash the pods, put them in freezer bags (either whole of sliced) and freeze. Some people blanch them first by putting them in boiling water for 3 - 4 minutes.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Okra pods are at their best when only 2-3" long, but these don't keep for more than 2-3 days (they are best eaten the same day). Larger pods can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in a plastic bag (they will eventually be damaged by temperatures 45 degrees F).
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 2-7 days
Okra pods can be dried to preserve them. Their flavor is quite different from the fresh pods, but it is still good.
Storage Req: Dry
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: days
Canned and pickled okra is an excellent option for long-term storage.
Storage Req: Canning
Storage Temp: 55-65°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Okra pods are at their best when only 2-3" long, but these don't keep for more than 2-3 days (they are best eaten the same day). Larger pods can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in a plastic bag (they will eventually be damaged by temperatures 45 degrees F).
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 2-7 days
Okra pods can be dried to preserve them. Their flavor is quite different from the fresh pods, but it is still good.
Storage Req: Dry
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: days
Canned and pickled okra is an excellent option for long-term storage.
Storage Req: Canning
Storage Temp: 55-65°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
Okra will self-pollinate if no other plants are growing nearby. However, the flowers are very attractive to bees and if any other okra is growing within a mile, they will probably be cross-pollinated.
For this reason, you should only grow one variety at a time, or you must isolate the plants (in a cage, by bagging, or by distance). To ensure genetic variability you should save the seed from at least 5 plants. Of course you should also select the best plants to produce seed.
The fruit will take about 4 or 5 weeks to fully ripen (and the plants may well stop producing new fruits). The dry pods are even more irritating than the green pods, so wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting.
Separate the seeds from the dry pods and dry thoroughly before storage.
Seed Viability in Years: 4 - 5 Years
Germination Percentage: 50%
For this reason, you should only grow one variety at a time, or you must isolate the plants (in a cage, by bagging, or by distance). To ensure genetic variability you should save the seed from at least 5 plants. Of course you should also select the best plants to produce seed.
The fruit will take about 4 or 5 weeks to fully ripen (and the plants may well stop producing new fruits). The dry pods are even more irritating than the green pods, so wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting.
Separate the seeds from the dry pods and dry thoroughly before storage.
Seed Viability in Years: 4 - 5 Years
Germination Percentage: 50%
Taste: They are best tasting when eaten the same day as they're harvested. Okra is used as the thickening agent in Cajun gumbo, but it also can be boiled, broiled, fried, roasted, steamed, canned, or pickled
Culinary Use: Okra can be sauteed, fried, roasted, steamed, stir-fried and used in stews as well as canned or pickled. It contains a gelatinous substance that coats the Okra when cooked for extended periods of time. If you don't want this gelatinous consistency, saute or stir-fry the okra in hot oil quickly and the moisture will stay within the pod.
Culinary Use: Okra can be sauteed, fried, roasted, steamed, stir-fried and used in stews as well as canned or pickled. It contains a gelatinous substance that coats the Okra when cooked for extended periods of time. If you don't want this gelatinous consistency, saute or stir-fry the okra in hot oil quickly and the moisture will stay within the pod.
Plant lettuce around your okra plants and they will shade the lettuce in the summer giving you some more growing time. Okra also does well with peppers and eggplants as it helps protect these brittle stemmed plants from high winds. It also gets along with basil, cucumbers, melons, and black eyed peas. For planting with the peas plant your Okra first. When the okra is up and established plant the peas around the edges of the okra planting. You may find that the peas are far less bothered by aphids when near okra.
Nutrition
Okra contains vitamin A and calcium. The seeds are rich in protein and edible oil.
Health Benefits of Okra
Improves Digestion: Perhaps, the best part of adding okra to your diet is the significant increase it can have on your total fiber intake. Mucilaginous fiber found in okra can help move food through your digestive tract by adding bulk. This means that bowel movements are more regular and there is a reduction in gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, cramping, constipation, and excess gas. Oddly, it also helps prevent diarrhea, because it adds bulk to watery stools. Further, its fiber content can help clear out excess cholesterol in the body and controls the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the body.
Improves Vision: Okra contains a very high content of vitamin A, as well as antioxidant components like beta carotenes, xanthein, and lutein. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that destroy or neutralize free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are responsible for cell degradation in the body, including those responsible for vision. With high levels of okra in your diet, you can protect your eyes against macular degeneration and cataracts.
Skin Care: Vitamin A antioxidants are also able to protect skin health, by promoting quicker healing, reducing the appearance of scars and acne, and eliminating wrinkles. This is because the antioxidants are able to neutralize the free radicals which may have damaged those skin cells.
Boosts Immunity: The various antioxidant components of okra make it very beneficial to fight off free radicals and the high vitamin C content also means that the body’s immunity is boosted. This vitamin can stimulate the immune system to create white blood cells, which can combat foreign pathogens and materials in the body that can weaken the immune system.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Okra is a good source of both vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which is an essential aspect of human health. Potassium is necessary to maintain proper fluid balance in the body because it balances sodium. Furthermore, potassium helps relax the blood vessels and arteries, which reduces blood pressure and lessens the strain on the cardiovascular system. This means that the chances of clotting and atherosclerosis will be greatly reduced.
Word of Caution: One thing you do need to worry about while consuming okra is its high levels of oxalates. Oxalates bind to existing kidney and gallstones and cause them to grow and may worsen the associated conditions. Frying okra can also increase your cholesterol intake for the day, so cooking it in other ways is wise if you want to maintain a good cholesterol balance.
Improves Vision: Okra contains a very high content of vitamin A, as well as antioxidant components like beta carotenes, xanthein, and lutein. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that destroy or neutralize free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are responsible for cell degradation in the body, including those responsible for vision. With high levels of okra in your diet, you can protect your eyes against macular degeneration and cataracts.
Skin Care: Vitamin A antioxidants are also able to protect skin health, by promoting quicker healing, reducing the appearance of scars and acne, and eliminating wrinkles. This is because the antioxidants are able to neutralize the free radicals which may have damaged those skin cells.
Boosts Immunity: The various antioxidant components of okra make it very beneficial to fight off free radicals and the high vitamin C content also means that the body’s immunity is boosted. This vitamin can stimulate the immune system to create white blood cells, which can combat foreign pathogens and materials in the body that can weaken the immune system.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Okra is a good source of both vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which is an essential aspect of human health. Potassium is necessary to maintain proper fluid balance in the body because it balances sodium. Furthermore, potassium helps relax the blood vessels and arteries, which reduces blood pressure and lessens the strain on the cardiovascular system. This means that the chances of clotting and atherosclerosis will be greatly reduced.
Word of Caution: One thing you do need to worry about while consuming okra is its high levels of oxalates. Oxalates bind to existing kidney and gallstones and cause them to grow and may worsen the associated conditions. Frying okra can also increase your cholesterol intake for the day, so cooking it in other ways is wise if you want to maintain a good cholesterol balance.