How to Grow Okra

Choose a wind protected spot in your garden that's in full sun (at least six hours of sun is ideal) and has well-drained soil. Okra can be grown in all areas around Australia during the warmest months. Okra is not frost tolerant so in cooler climates it should be grown in late spring, after the risk of frost has passed.

Okra can be grown from seed or established plants.

Prior to sowing or planting, improve the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. It's a rich source of organic matter to help improve soil structure and water holding capacity, as well as attract earthworms and beneficial soil microorganisms.

Yates Okra Clemson Spineless, a popular Okra variety, can be sown direct where the plants are to grow. Sow seed of this vigorous variety 6 mm deep, 50-60 cm apart, and seedlings should emerge in 10-14 days. Alternatively, sow seeds into punnets or trays of Yates Seed Raising Mix and later transplant the seedlings into their final position when they're big enough to handle. 

When transplanting Okra seedlings or planting more established plants, dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Carefully remove the seedling or young plant from the tray, punnet or pot, place the plant in the hole and backfill around the roots with soil. Okra's roots are easily damaged so care during transplanting is required. Water in well to settle the soil around the roots.

Keep the soil moist as the plant establishes. Applying a layer of mulch, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the root zone will help keep the soil moist and protect the delicate root system. Snails and slugs can damage young Okra plants, so protect them with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait. 

Okra can tolerate hot summers and dry spells, but it's best to keep the soil consistently moist. Feed regularly throughout the growing, flowering and fruiting season with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser to promote healthy growth and lots of flowers and fruit.

When growing Okra from seed, it can take 16-20 weeks for pods to be ready to pick. First, you'll see attractive (but short lived) yellow flowers, and slender green pods form a few days after the flowers open. There are some varieties of Okra with red or burgundy pods. Harvest Okra pods when they're young, before they lose their tenderness. Yates Okra Clemson Spineless pods should be picked when they're 5-7 cm long. It's easiest to pick pods using scissors or secateurs. To promote a long harvest season, pick pods regularly. 

Choose a well-drained pot at least 300 mm wide. Position in a wind protected spot that’s in full sun (at least six hours of sun is ideal). Okra can be grown in all areas around Australia during the warmest months. Okra is not frost tolerant so in cooler climates it should be grown in late spring, after the risk of frost has passed.

Fill the pot with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. 

Okra can be grown from seed or established plants.

When growing Okra from seed, such as Yates Okra Clemson Spineless, seed can be sown directly into the pot. Sow a few seed 6 mm deep in a clump in the middle of the pot and seedlings should emerge in 10-14 days. Excess seedlings can be removed, leaving the strongest seedling. Alternatively sow seeds into punnets or trays of Yates Seed Raising Mix and later transplant the seedlings into their final pots when they're big enough to handle.

When growing Okra from more established plants, dig the planting hole in the potting mix twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Carefully remove the young plant from its existing pot, place the plant in the hole and backfill around the roots with potting mix. Okra's roots are easily damaged so care during transplanting is required. Water in well to settle the soil around the roots.

Keep the potting mix moist as the plant establishes. Applying a layer of mulch, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the root zone will help keep the potting mix moist and protect the delicate root system. Snails and slugs can damage young Okra plants, so protect them with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Okra can tolerate hot summers and dry spells, but it's best to keep the potting mix consistently moist. Feed regularly throughout the growing, flowering and fruiting season with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser to promote healthy growth and lots of flowers and fruit.

When growing Okra from seed, it can take 16-20 weeks for pods to be ready to pick. First, you'll see attractive (but short lived) yellow flowers, and slender green pods form a few days after the flowers open. There are some varieties of Okra with red or burgundy pods. Harvest Okra pods when they're young, before they lose their tenderness. Yates Okra Clemson Spineless pods should be picked when they're 5-7 cm long. It's easiest to pick pods using scissors or secateurs. To promote a long harvest season, pick pods regularly.

In tropical and sub-tropical climates, sow Okra seed in late winter, spring and summer. In temperate climates sow seed in spring and early summer. In cool climates so seed in late spring and early summer.

In cool and temperate climates Okra should be treated as an annual plant and new seed sown each year.  In warm climates Okra plants can be perennial.

A high potassium fertiliser like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser is best when growing Okra. Potassium is the key nutrient to promote flowering and fruit production. 

Fertilising regularly (every one-to-two weeks) with a high potassium fertiliser like Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser will help promote healthy plants and lots of flowers and Okra pods. Picking young pods regularly also encourages a bigger harvest. 

Soaking Okra seed is not crucial, however the germination rate of Okra seed can be improved by soaking seeds in water for 12 hours prior to sowing. 

Okra does best in moist but well-drained, organic-rich soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH (pH 6.5 - 7.0).

Depending on the variety, Okra grows 1 to 1.5 m tall.

It's best to plant Okra in a wind-protected spot. In exposed areas, plants may need to be supported with a stake, particularly once the plant becomes heavier with pods.

It can take 16-20 weeks for pods from seed-grown Okra plants to be ready to pick. So, seed sown in early spring will be ready to harvest in mid to late summer. 

When Okra plants are young, they can be damaged by snails and slugs. A light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait around the plants will help control Snails and Slugs.

Caterpillars can eat Okra leaves and pods. As soon as damage is noticed, spray Caterpillars with Yates Pyrethrum Insect Pest Gun. 

Okra plants can be attacked by several sap-sucking pests including Aphids, Whiteflies and Two-spotted Mites. To control Aphids and Whitefly, spray plants thoroughly with Yates Pyrethrum Insect Pest Gun, including on the undersides of leaves. To control Two-Spotted Mites, spray plants with Yates Lime Sulfur.

Wilt diseases like Verticilium and Fusarium can affect Okra, causing plants to yellow and wilt. There is no chemical control for these wilt diseases. To help reduce these diseases, practice crop rotation and grow Okra in a different location each year. 

Cool air and low soil temperatures can lead to slow growth. As the weather warms up, the rate of growth will increase. 

Skin irritation can occur with some people after contact with Okra leaves, stems or pods. For people with sensitive skin, wearing gloves and long-sleeved clothing is recommended when handling Okra. Spineless varieties have less spines, however care should still be taken when handling. 

Okra pods are best picked when they're young and tender. As pods age, they will become tougher and stringy.