[Practical Guide] How To Grow Okra From Seed To Harvest

You can enjoy the rewards of growing okra from seed. Not only is it a simple and cost-effective way to harvest, but it provides a summer-long bounty of nutritious vegetables.

To grow okra from seeds successfully, you’ll need to acquire a good okra variety, select an ideal planting site, planting site soil preparation, okra seed planting, regular watering, keep the soil weed free, fertilize the plant, thin the plant, pest and disease control, and harvest the okra.

Okra seeds are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and have a quick germination time. It does best in warm and sunny locations with good moisture retention. Plus, you can harvest your okra within 50-60 days.

This guide will teach you how to grow okra and harvest your first crop so that you can start enjoying the sweet rewards of this versatile vegetable.

How To Grow Okra From Seed Step By Step

Now, we will go straightway into our discourse providing you with a step-by-step guide on how to grow okra from seed. Ensure you follow all outlined steps.

Step 1. Acquire your Okra Variety

If you want to grow high-quality okra, you can order seeds from a seed catalog or purchase them from a nursery, garden store, or online. Also, you can try planting seeds from store-bought okra.

Popular okra varieties include Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight, Burgundy, Jambalaya, Candle Fire, Carmine Splendor, and Red Velvet. Ensure that the okra seed you get is of high quality and they are resistant to pest and diseases.

Step 2. Select an Ideal Planting Site

Many farmers overlook this step, but you also should not make the same mistake. Ensure the planting site you choose should get at least 6 hours of full sun each day.

Also, the soil on the planting site should be close to neutral (6.0-8.0 pH), nutrient-rich, and well-draining, with a sandy-loam soil type being the ideal choice. Growing okra in a shady area will likely lead to a poor harvest or none at all.

Step 3. Planting Site Soil Preparation

Before planting, make sure to remove any unwanted vegetation and debris. Use a hoe or garden rake to till the soil to a depth of 12 inches (30.5 cm) and mix in 4 inches (10.2 cm) of compost or fertilizer to ensure even distribution.

If you’d like to adjust the soil pH, you can work in limestone or bone meal. If not, incorporate plenty of compost to naturally drive the pH toward neutral (7). Finally, level the land or create farm beds to accommodate the okra seeds.

Step 4. Okra Seed Planting

Now that you have prepared the planting site, it is time to plant your okra seedlings. You can either directly sow the seeds or start the seeds indoors or in a nursery and then transplant them to the main planting site.

When the weather is warm, you can directly sow the seeds 4 inches apart at a depth of 1 inch. If you started your seeds indoors, handle the seedlings carefully when transplanting and plant them 1 foot apart in rows 3 feet apart.

Make sure to dig holes large enough to hold the root balls and gently pat the soil around the base of the plants. Lastly, water the garden to help set the soil.

Step 5. Regular Watering

Water Okra regularly to ensure it thrives. Aim to give it at least an inch of water each week, either by watering in the morning or after heavy rains. Although Okra can handle some dryness, it will grow much better when it receives ample moisture throughout the summer.

Step 6. Keep The Soil Weed-Free and Mulch

When the okra is still young, make sure to cultivate the bed to get rid of any weeds. Cover the seedlings with a thick mulch, like pine straw, to stop more weeds from growing and taking over the bed.

Step 7. Fertilize The Plants

with a balanced fertilizer every three weeks.

Step 8. Thin The Plant

Once your seeds have grown to 3 inches high, thin out the smaller seedlings, leaving the strongest ones spaced 1 foot to 2 feet apart in rows that are 3 feet apart.

Step 9: Pest Control

It’s important to keep an eye out for Aphids, stinkbugs, and corn earworms if you’re growing okra. These pests can quickly diminish your okra crop if their numbers are allowed to get too high.

Inspect the plants for signs that these pests have infested your okra plants, such as holes in the leaves and yellowing of the stems. To keep them away, you can manually pick them off or spray the leaves with soapy water. This way, you’ll be able to maximize your okra harvest.

Step 10. Harvest The Okra

After planting okra, it will take around 8 weeks before the pods begin to appear. Cut the pods just above the caps with a pair of scissors or a hand pruner, and continue harvesting them all summer until the plant stops producing new pods. Once a cut is made, another pod will emerge from the same spot, so you can keep harvesting from the same plant.

How To Grow Okra From Seeds In Pots

Follow the step below to grow okra from seeds in pots

1. Fill a pot with quality potting soil that is well-draining.
2. Plant okra seeds 1 inch deep in the soil and 6-8 inches apart.
3. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
4. Once the seedlings have 2-3 sets of leaves, thin them out so they are 4-6 inches apart.
5. Feed the okra plants every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
6. Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
7. Harvest pods when they are 4-6 inches long.

How Many Okra Seeds Per Hole

Plant two or three okra seeds per hole, approximately 1/2 inch deep. Space holes 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart.

How To Make Okra Produce More

To make your okra produce more, ensure you follow the tips below.

1. Plant okra in a sunny spot and provide plenty of water.
2. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, at planting and every few weeks afterward.
3. Mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture.
4. Prune okra plants to encourage bushier growth.
5. Remove spent blooms to encourage further flowering and fruiting.
6. Harvest okra regularly to encourage the plants to produce more.

How To Grow Okra From Seed Indoors

1. Plant okra seeds in a seedling tray filled with potting soil.
2. Place the tray in a warm, sunny spot indoors, such as near a south-facing window.
3. Moisten the soil until it is damp but not overly wet.
4. Keep the soil moist and wait for the okra seeds to sprout.
5. Once the seeds have sprouted, move the seed tray to a larger pot with drainage holes.
6. Fill the pot with potting soil and plant the okra seedlings.
7. Place the pot in a sunny spot, such as a south-facing window.
8. Water the soil when it becomes dry.
9. Harvest the pods when they are 3-4 inches long.

Okra Plant Height In 1 Week

Okra plants can grow up to 12 inches in height in one week.

How Long Does Okra Take To Grow

Okra takes about 50-60 days to grow from seed to harvest.

How Tall Does Okra Grow

Okra grows up to 6 feet tall.

How Many Okra Plants For A Family Of 4

For a family of 4, it is recommended to plant 18-24 okra plants.

How To Grow Okra From Seed

1. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring.
2. Prepare a pot or container with a light soil mix.
3. Sow two or three seeds in each pot, 1/2″ deep, and cover lightly with soil.
4. Keep the soil moist and warm until the seeds germinate.
5. Transplant the seedlings outdoors after the threat of frost has passed, spacing them 1-2 feet apart in rows that are 3-4 feet apart.
6. Provide ample water and mulch around the plants to maintain soil moisture.
7. Harvest okra when pods are 3-4 inches long.

How To Grow Okra From Seed In UK

Follow the step below to grow okra from seed in UK

1. Choose a location with plenty of sunlight and soil that drains well.
2. Sow seeds directly outdoors, 1cm deep and 20cm apart, in late spring to early summer.
3. Water the area regularly, as okra needs plenty of moisture to thrive.
4. Thin the seedlings so they are spaced 30-45cm apart.
5. Harvest okra pods when they are young and tender.

How To Grow Okra From Seed Indoors

1. Select a potting mix made for starting seeds.
2. Fill a pot with the mix and moisten it.
3. Plant 2-3 okra seeds 1/2 inch deep in the soil.
4. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot.
5. Water the soil regularly to maintain a moist consistency but avoid overwatering so that it does not become waterlogged.
6. Thin the seedlings to the strongest one once they reach 2-3 inches tall.
7. Move the pot to a larger container when the okra has grown to 6-8 inches tall.
8. Transplant the okra outdoors when the weather is warm and all danger of frost has passed.

How To Grow Okra From Seed In Florida

1. Select a sunny, well-drained area in Florida with full sun exposure for growing okra.
2. Till the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches. Add 2 to 4 inches of organic matter and mix it into the soil.
3. Plant okra seeds 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows that are at least 1 foot apart.
4. Water the area thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist until okra seedlings emerge, which takes 5 to 10 days.
5. Thin the okra seedlings to 12 inches apart after they reach 3 inches tall.
6. Apply a balanced fertilizer every two weeks.
7. Harvest okra pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long and before they turn yellow or brown.

How To Grow Okra From Seed In Pot

1. Fill a pot with soil and make a few holes for drainage.
2. Plant okra seeds 1/2 inch deep in the soil.
3. Place the pot in a sunny location and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
4. When the plants are 4-6 inches tall, thin them to 8-12 inches apart.
5. Fertilize the soil with a balanced fertilizer once the plants are established.
6. Monitor the plants for pests and diseases and treat them as needed.
7. Harvest the okra when the fruits are 3-4 inches long. Cut them off the plant using sharp scissors or a knife.

How To Grow Okra From Seed To Harvest

1. Start okra seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
2. Plant okra seeds 1/2-1 inch deep in a pot filled with well-draining potting soil.
3. Place the pot in a sunny window and keep the soil moist.
4. When the seedlings are several inches tall, transplant them outdoors in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
5. Space the plants 12-24 inches apart, and water them regularly.
6. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist.
7. Harvest okra pods when they are young and tender, typically when they are 2-3 inches long.
8. Cut the pods off the plants with a sharp knife.

How To Grow Okra From Seed In Australia

1. Select a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil.
2. Plant okra seeds 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart in the spring.
3. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist.
4. Fertilise the plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer after they reach 12 inches in height.
5. Thin the plants to 12-18 inches apart as they grow.
6. Harvest the okra pods when they are about 3 inches long.

How Long Does It Take To Grow Okra From Seed

It takes 6-8 weeks for okra to grow from seed to maturity. The seeds should be planted 1/2 inch deep and spaced 2-3 inches apart, with rows 18-36 inches apart. After germination, okra will mature in 55-65 days.

How To Grow Chinese Okra From Seed

1. Select a sunny outdoor location with well-draining soil.
2. Plant seeds in early spring or late fall, 1/2 inch deep, 6 inches apart.
3. Water the soil thoroughly after planting.
4. Thin seedlings to one single plant every 6 inches when they are 4-5 inches tall.
5. Keep the soil moist with regular watering.
6. Fertilize two to three times during the growing season.
7. Harvest when okra pods are 4-5 inches long, cutting them off with a sharp knife.
8. Remove spent plants and clear the area for the next season.

How To Grow Okra From Fresh Seed

1. Fill a pot with soil and moisten it.
2. Plant the okra seeds about 1/2 inch deep in the soil.
3. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
4. Thin the okra plants so that there are about 2-3 feet between each plant.
5. Water the okra plants regularly and fertilize them every other week.
6. Harvest okra pods when they are 3-4 inches long by cutting them off the plant with a sharp knife.

How To Grow Okra From Seeds In Pots

1. Sow okra seeds in pots filled with potting soil and water until moist.
2. Place pots in a warm and sunny spot, at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
3. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
4. Thin seedlings when they are about 2–4 inches tall.
5. Fertilize the plants every couple of weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
6. Harvest okra pods when they are between 3–4 inches long and before they start to turn yellow or brown.

How To Grow Okra From Seeds Youtube

Start by soaking the okra seeds overnight in warm water. Then fill a pot with soil and mix some compost in.

Place the seeds on the soil surface, press lightly, and cover with 1/4″ of soil. Water gently and keep the soil moist. Once the seedlings have grown, space them 6-8″ apart.

Fertilize every 2-4 weeks and keep the soil moist. Harvest pods when they are 4-6″ long. You can always watch YouTube where you will find a different videos with detailed instructions.

How To Grow Okra From Seeds At Home

1. Purchase high-quality okra seeds.
2. Prepare a sunny spot in the garden or pot with well-draining soil.
3. Plant okra seeds 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart.
4. Water the soil and keep it moist.
5. Thin the seedlings when they reach 4 inches tall.
6. Fertilize the plants every 2-3 weeks.
7. Mulch around the okra plants to retain moisture.
8. Harvest okra pods when they reach the desired size.

Conclusion

Please let us know if this article helped provide you with the information needed to start an okra farm and grow the vegetable from seed. We hope that you have learned all the necessary steps and are ready to start cultivating okra. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.