This is the first time I’m trying to grow okra seed in my veggie container garden. The seeds were given out at Canada Blooms, which we visited last March. This isn’t a veggie that is on my shopping list and I did some research on it to see how it grew and what it could be used for. After all that I’m still not certain I’ll add it to my shopping list but it is a learning experience to try different things each year. Okra is native to Africa and is related to hibiscus, cotton, and hollyhocks. After blooming it produces edible green seed pods.
Okra is also known as lady’s fingers and plants can be about 4 feet tall. They are drought and heat resistant so perfect for growing in my south facing veggie pot garden.
There were small round seeds in the packet which got planted up in a big container.
The seeds were planted on May 18 and eleven days later on May 29 this is what they looked like.
The seedlings started growing and producing true leaves by June 11
Between 50 to 60 days after planting yellow blooms appear then seed pods will appear. The plant prefers full sun, so my plant tables are in the perfect location.
Soon the true leaves start to form and buds for the first blooms.
The lemon yellow colour was lovely. I think I grew okra so I could see the blooms as I’m not sure I’ll be using it in cooking. There are lots of recipes for it, including the ever popular gumbo.
The edible part, the green seed pods, is growing really well.
Harvest when stems are easy to cut, about 2-4 inches long. You can pick frequently and it will continue to produce till frost.
Have you grown okra? If so, how do you cook it?
Other unusual (to me) veggies I’ve grown in my kitchen garden are okra, potato beans, Kabouli black chickpeas and monk peas.
The Gardener Side grows: bulbs, corms & tubers, plants, seeds & seedpods, and veggies & herbs in different garden areas
