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Growing Okra, also Ladyfinger, gumbo

(Abelmoschus esculentus)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
P	P						S	S	T	T	T

(Best months for planting Okra in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 35 - 60 cm apart
Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
Compatible with: Peppers (Capsicum, Chili), Eggplant (Aubergine)

Okra on flowering plant

In warm districts okra can be sown in garden beds. Raise seedlings in a similar way to capsicums - warmth is essential. Pick pods within a week of flowers opening - at about 5 - 8 cm long. Pods become tough and inedible if left too long.

Pods have a high gum content so do not appeal to everyone.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Okra

Use pods fresh or dried in soups or casseroles or as a boiled vegetable.

Your comments and tips

28 Jan 12, Raelene (Australia - temperate climate): I got okra seeds from an Asian grocery store - pretty common in Adelaide. Planted seeds trays in Oct, only 3 survived out of 50 seeds planted, stayed about 3 inches for 1 month (Adelaide had cool start to summer this year). My mum ("certified" green thumb) came visiting in Dec, she put out maybe 20 seeds direct into garden bed, almost all seeds came up with many 3 inches tall in 1 week. (She also stuck 10 corn seeds from the chook feed into another bed, all came up in 1 week). So my tip, find someone with a green thumb (if you aren't that yourself) and invite them over for a meal at specific planting times and hand them the packets of seeds!
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20 Jan 12, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Find a permaculture group in your area and they are sure to have seeds or cutting. It is a survivasl food. 27.6% protien in the leaves.
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12 Jan 12, Aju (Australia - temperate climate): Have planted 6 okra plants in the veggie patch in Perth and they have started fruiting with one or two pods per plant whilst they are about 12 cms high. So far so good and have read that i need to hang on till they are about 40 cms high before they really take off. What do we do over winter months in Perth? Are they hardy enough to just let them be and will they survive or do we need to do something to protect them in the open during winter? I'd like to try and keep them through the winter season and see them growing big. Thanks in advance for your suggestions
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27 Dec 11, koyo (Australia - sub-tropical climate): where can i get okra seeds to buy in australia. Regards, Koyo.
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18 Jan 12, jossey (Australia - temperate climate): I bought okra seeds from Bunnings warehouse. good luck
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03 Dec 11, Hank (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What markets on the north coast of NSW are selling okra. Australia just doesn't know about okra! :)
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02 Dec 11, Marlene (Australia - temperate climate): Where can I purchase okra seeds in Perth.Can't import them due to restrictions.
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30 Dec 11, julie (Australia - temperate climate): Eden seeds in Queensland.
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03 Dec 11, John G (Australia - temperate climate): Got mine from bunnings. Soaked them in wet tissues in door for abt 4-5 days for the seeds to swell. Plant the seeds in garden bed or seed trays in sunny position and keep moist. I was told ocra loves sun light. The hotternthe better.
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10 Dec 11, Marlene (Australia - arid climate): Do you know anyone in Perth who is willing to share a few okra seeds.Buntings doesn't have any.I am also looking for bitter gourd also known as karela.
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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