Growing okra in Florida is not difficult when the conditions are ideal.
Okra is a vegetable in the culinary world, and a seed pod botanically speaking. A member of the hibiscus family, okra is heat tolerant, fast growing, and high yielding, making it a worthwhile crop for any summertime garden.
| Okra | Abelmoschus esculentus |
| Season (FL) | Summer |
| Soil type | Fertile, well-drained, neutral |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Normal |
| Mature plant size | 3-6’ tall depending on variety |
| Harvest in | 50-70 days |
Growing okra in Florida
Okra grows in full sun and hot weather. Growing shrub-like, it also makes a great container plant when space is limited.
When to plant okra in Florida
March to November is the best time to plant okra in Florida, or year-round in South Florida
Soil should be above 65 degrees for best results.
Seeds can be obtained from one of these sources or from local gardeners and farmers markets.
Okra is ready for harvest when seed pods are 1 to 2 days old and 2-4” long.
How to plant okra
Soak seeds a few hours (or overnight) before planting for faster germination.
Plant seeds a half inch deep and keep moist through germination. You should see sprouts in 5 to 10 days.
Plant okra directly in the ground or container, as it will not transplant well.
Growing okra in containers
There are dwarf types of okra that stay under 5’ tall. These would be best suited for pots. In Florida okra can be planted in pots nearly year-round, just avoid exposing it to frost.
Caring for your okra plants
Prune from the top to produce side branches and overall better growth.
Monitor for pests to halt any issues before they get out of hand.
Suggested recipe for Okra
Try roasting okra with garlic, and add fresh tomatoes.
Sources
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/okra.html