When to Plant Okra Seeds
Ready to get your okra party started? If you’re starting your seeds indoors, plant them in peat pots about 4 weeks before the average last spring frost date—let’s give those babies a cozy head start! If you’re feeling brave and want to plant outdoors, go for it 3-4 weeks before that last frost, but make sure to cover them up with a cold frame—think of it as their little winter jacket. Prefer waiting for the sun to warm things up? Wait until the soil hits around 65 to 70 degrees F, and then let the planting begin!
Where to Plant Okra Seeds
Find a sunny spot in your garden that’s got rich, well-draining soil. We’re talking about the VIP section of your garden where okra can soak up all the sunshine it wants—no shady business here!
How to Plant Okra Seeds
Before you dive in, soak those okra seeds for about 24 hours to get them all fired up for germination. Remember, okra seeds are like sunlight lovers—don’t cover them up when planting! Space them about 12 inches apart and bury them only ¼ inch deep. Once they start growing tall and mighty, you can give them some elbow room by weeding them out to about 3 to 4 feet apart.
How to Harvest Okra
Time to reap the rewards! Your okra will be ready for picking after about 2 months. After that, you can keep the harvest rolling every two days by using a knife to cut the stem above the okra cap—easy peasy! Want to boost your production? Just remove the lower leaves after your first harvest; it’s like giving your plants a pep talk! And a quick heads-up: wear gloves or protect your skin while handling okra, because those tiny spines can be a bit prickly—like the okra’s way of saying, “Hey, don’t mess with me!” Happy gardening, and may your okra thrive like a superstar!