(Best months for planting Okra in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Your comments and tips

07 Nov 09, Peddo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Sadia, do not pick yellowish okra, wait a bit longer for the greenish hue. Prakash, throw away any okra that you put ant killer on, what were you thinking? It is poison! Stop ants with a little spray of garlic. Easy to make, crush garlic, add olive oil and water. Dmitri, hey, these growing tips are answers to questions, you ask...you get an answer. How far apart? 30cm should do it.

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02 Dec 10, Sam (Australia - arid climate)

Even if you're not growing organic, it is absolutely life-and-death important to only use the right chemicals and only use them EXACTLY as instructed on the packet. It is illegal to do otherwise, and for good reason! Farmers are required to undergo training to legally use things that home gardeners can buy off-the-shelf. Do not be fooled into thinking that because it came from the supermarket it's safe! (The same even applies to some organic controls.) Ant dust intended for on-ground application could stay on the plant and very toxic for a very long time, whereas a chemical intended for use on EDIBLE plants would be less toxic and break down faster or wash off cleanly.

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10 Nov 09, Khurram (Australia - temperate climate)

Can we ask you for other vegetables as well?

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15 Nov 09, Dmitri (Australia - temperate climate)

Hey i have a few Okra plants growing that i have just planted out in the back yard as seedlings and they are growing strong, i have found some small flower buds on the young plants and was wondering if this is common with transplants or if i should cut the buds off and allow the young plants to focus on growing as they are still quite small. My zucchini seem to be growing flowers already and they are only small, recent transplants. Has anyone experience anything similiar?

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29 Aug 12, Ravi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

No! - It is quite OK for okra to start fruiting early - just wait till the weather gets a bit warmer, the plants will then grow up so quickly. Mka esure you keep picking up the okra when they are still tender (4 - 5 inches max)

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22 Dec 09, Dimpy (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted few okra seeds with seedling mix. They didn't show any groth for a month; then all of a sudden grown for about 3cm. But when transplanted in hot weather, none of them could survive. Any tips for saving them

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31 Dec 09, skip (Australia - temperate climate)

I have grown Okra for a few years and have had reasonable success. I buy the Clemson spineless seeds and have found a short pre-soaking helps germination. I have had my best success in growing seedlings in late spring (>20C) and kept away from the elements as the plants are whimps when it comes to cold. I plant out in mid-Nov (Adelaide hills). They are very slow at the beginning and you must be patient. I have found the fastest growth occurs when temps are >25C, but they hate dry hot wind. If you are willing to baby the plants with consistent watering (2-3 times/week) with liquid fertiliser (they're very heavy feeders) and get them to approx 12 inches they grow like a weed after that with little care. Pick the pods at approx 3" but discard any over 5" as they are very woody. Good luck

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01 Jan 10, matt berry (Australia - temperate climate)

Have just tried growing okra in Perth and have had great success. Planted them against Nth facing wall out of direct sea breeze. I watered regularly and nursed them to about 40cm and then the took off. Now about 1.2 m. Will have first harvest next week.

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02 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Thanks for the tips! I've been worried about our Okra growing soooo slowly. I'll keep nurturing them and we look forward to them taking off once they are well established :-)

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26 Jan 10, Kathie (Australia - tropical climate)

My concern is not knowing when to pick. Grown from seed (packet) and then transplanted, they grew to about 60 cm very quickly and have a few 'fruit' on them. I left them sit on the plant and they dried and split. I do have more on now. I found the website from the queensland dpi a bit helpful. I can't put in the website but I googled growing okra - pages from Australia.

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