How to Grow & Maintain Okra

Select a planting location that receives at least eight hours of sun daily. Okra prefers organic, well-drained, sandy loam soil. Amend clay soil with compost or peat moss. Experts at the University of Georgia recommend a soil pH of 5.8 to 6.8. A soil test will help you determine how to amend your soil before planting.

Loosen soil with a garden spade and mix in an all-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply fertilizer about 1 pound per 100 square feet or as indicated by a soil test.

Plant seeds in spring after soil has warmed to at least 65 degrees F and danger of frost has passed. Before planting, soak seeds overnight to soften the seed coats.

Use a hoe to form rows about 3 feet apart. Plant seeds in rows about 1-inch deep and 6 inches apart. Keep soil moist but not soaked while seeds germinate.

When seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin plants to about 15 inches apart.

Water plants deeply every week to 10 days during dry spells. Although okra is relatively drought tolerant, do not let young plants dry out completely when they are beginning to flower and form pods.

Fertilize plants with a 10-10-10 fertilizer when plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall and again in about a month. Do not over-apply fertilizer; excessive nitrogen results in leggy growth but low yield.

Hand-pull weeds as needed. Applying mulch such as shredded leaves around the base of the plants helps deter weeds and retain moisture.

Check plants frequently for insects. Okra is susceptible to a variety of beetles and worms including the Japanese beetle, cucumber beetle and corn worm. Hand-pick bugs from plants, or apply an approved pesticide, according to label instructions.

Pick pods regularly to encourage formation of new fruit. Okra pods become woody and hard as they get larger. Harvest pods when they are about 3 inches long. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the plant’s bristly hairs.

In mid-summer, cut plants back to about 18 inches tall to promote new growth and prolong productiveness. Okra will produce pods up to the first frost if it they are picked regularly and old growth is trimmed back.