The garden stores have okra plants in flats this year. How many okra plants would one have to buy to make a pot full of okra? Okra is better started in the garden from seed. It should be spaced about 6” between stalks. It is not too late to plant okra, but it is ok to plant after danger of frost. The okra stalks will be from 4’ to 6’ feet tall, so keep in mind the possibility of it shading other crops.
The okra will have flowers that look a lot like the flowers on rose-of Sharon. They are soon followed by the pods. Put a long sleeve shirt on to harvest okra, because it will make you itch. Pick it every day and don’t wait for the pods to get bigger. The young tender okra is the best. Okra is a heavy feeder so keep the compost and water coming. Keep the weeds pulled and watch it grow.
Some people really love fried okra. They don’t know what they are missing. Nice slimy boiled okra is not only a treat by itself, but is delicious in stews and combinations with other veggies. Corn, okra, and speckled lima beans is my favorite; but it is good with green beans too. Trim the ends off of the pods and soak them in a solution of apple cider vinegar and salt water for about thirty minutes. Just cook them until they get slimy.
David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/
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