Growing and Eating Okra
Did you know Okra is in the same family as cotton and cocoa? Okra was first cultivated in and around Ethiopia around the 12th Century B.C. and was grown by the ancient Egyptians. Now, it is a staple of Southern, Cajun, and Creole cooking.
You’ll find it in CSA boxes and at farmers’ markets May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Plant seeds in April and May.
Note: okra plants have irritating hairs that cause rashes on some people. Wear gloves and long sleeves.
Nutritional facts
Okra is a great source of Vitamin C and its fiber helps to maintain healthy intestines and balance out blood sugar levels. Okra also helps to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your intestines. The seeds are a great source for protein.
Recipes
HEY CHEFS! If you have a great recipe, please send it to us: info@georgiaorganics.org.
Fried Okra
Grandma’s Tomatoes and Okra
Virginia Willis’ Spicy Pan-Fried Okra
Louisiana Gumbo
Planting
Okra seeds won’t germinate in soil cooler than 70 degrees F. It is best to start your okra plants from seeds planting them in fertile soil a foot to a foot and a half apart in sun that drains well. They need full sun, 8 to 10 hours a day.
They grow quickly in warm weather and will generally only need to be watered and weeded for maintenance. The plants will grow between 3 and 5 feet tall and will flower a few weeks before the okra is ripe and ready for harvest.
When the seed pods are about 3 inches long and still tender, harvest.
The plants will continue producing until killed by a frost. Trim the plants every 2 or 3 days or they’ll turn woody.