🌿
Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Heat-loving pods that crop non-stop through the hottest weeks.
Sun
Full sun (8+ hrs)
Water
2.5 cm / week
Soil
Rich, warm, pH 6.5–7.0
Spacing
45 cm apart
Days to harvest
55–65 days
Hardiness
Zones 5–11 (annual, needs heat)
Seasonal Calendar
S
S
S
H
H
H
H
JFMAMJJASOND
Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow warm
Soak seeds overnight and sow when soil is 20°C+. Cool soil = no germination.
- 2
Plant in the hottest spot
Full sun, ideally against a warm wall in cooler climates.
- 3
Harvest tiny
Pods over 8 cm turn woody. Pick every other day.
Common problems
Slow growth
It's cold. Cover with fleece; wait for real heat.
Tough pods
You waited too long — pick when finger-length.
Good neighbors
PepperBasilMelon
Field tips
- “Wear gloves — some varieties have irritating hairs on stems and pods.”
- “Freeze whole pods raw; slice frozen for gumbo.”