How to Grow Okra in the Northwest

Start okra seeds indoors in pots up to eight weeks before the the last frost in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 5 or 6 of Oregon and Washington. Okra requires at least 60 to 70 days of frost-free growing to produce a harvest. Timing for indoor starts ranges from the end of April to the beginning of May in areas such as Antelope, Baker City and Klamath Falls, Oregon. Do not attempt to grow okra in extreme areas such as Grizzly, Crater Lake and Enterprise, Oregon.

Fill 6-inch pots with drainage holes 3/4 full of starter soil. Plant the seeds 1-inch deep, with one seed per pot. Keep the pots in areas with full sun and temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination and sprouting. Give the pots 1 inch of water every week to maintain soil moisture.

Put okra in the outdoor garden when nighttime temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Okra fails in any frost and rots in cold, wet soil. Timing ranges from mid-April in warm areas of Washington to late May in cooler areas of Oregon.

Lay out the okra garden. Allot at least 10 square feet of space for multiple plantings, in a spot with full sunshine all day and quick drainage.

Amend the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Dig into the natural soil and loosen it, then add 5 inches of organic compost for soil quality and nutrition. Turn 5-10-10 or 6-12-12 granular fertilizer into the soil for additional nutrition, following the label instructions for amounts. Okra does best with high-phosphorus fertilizer and should not get too much nitrogen early in the season.

Plant okra seeds or seedlings at 9 to 12 inches in the row, with 3 to 6 feet between rows. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and seedlings in holes deep and wide enough for their root balls.

Give okra 6 inches of water every week. Water the plants in the morning to allow full drying before nightfall. Spread 2 inches of organic mulch over the soil between plantings to keep the soil moist and warm during the season.

Give okra 10-5-5 fertilizer when the plants bloom, to encourage fruit production. Follow manufacturer recommendations in regard to fertilizer application and quantity.

Harvest okra before the first frost, which falls from early September to late October in this region. Cut the pods when they're 2 to 3 inches long to produce tender, green vegetables.