Sometimes we plan our garden experiments months, or even a year, in advance, and then sometimes we just wing it at the last minute or even a little late. The latter is the case with this pot of okra. I didn't even think about it until I saw okra in the grocery store in late May and thought, "We should make some smothered okra!" After Builder Guy and I made it together, I thought, "We should plant some okra!" And of course by then I couldn't find any seeds or a single plant in any nearby nursery or garden center. Technically by mid-June it's pretty late for starting okra from seed.
Then while visiting my parents in South Carolina, we ran across some okra plants at Wal-Mart. Sold! And of course since we didn't have a space set aside for them in the garden, we decided to put them in a pot and see what would happen. They looked a little unhappy for the first couple days, but now they are big and healthy and producing okra.
Okra is actually a relative of hibiscus and hollyhocks, and they produce beautiful whitish blossoms with deep red at the base, which only last for a day. Then they droop and produce fruit if pollenated. Our okra plants are apparently blooming in secret because I've tried for days to get photos of okra blossoms and haven't seen a single one. But there's still okra coming, so maybe I'll get lucky and get a photo at some point this summer.
The variety we have is Clemson Spineless, a favorite for its flavor as well as being a prolific producer. Harvest can generally begin 56 days from seeding, and fruits should be picked when they are about 3 inches long, otherwise they will become tough. Plants will continue to produce all the way to frost if you keep them picked.
Where to Buy Okra Seeds
- Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
- Local Harvest
- Burpee
- Seeds of Change
Resources
I had no idea you could grow okra plants in a pot. Thanks for sharing! I absolutely love okra, especially pickled. 🙂
I've never grown okra, but I'm thinking it would be fun!
I love okra and can't imagine a summer garden without it. Have been trying a new thing, too, in planting some of my vegetables in the front yard gardens! My neighbors think I'm overstepping the line a bit, but I don't care. That's why I chose a home without a Homeowner's Association to tell me which way my grass has to grow. Enjoy and come visit when you can.
Thanks Tracey! Like I said, this is an experiment, so we'll see how much okra we actually get.
Hi Kalyn! I thought okra would something fun to try, and so far so good.
Hi SharleneT. Fortunately we have a pie-shaped lot so the front yard is considerably smaller than the back yard, which gives us plenty of room for our vegetable experiments. 🙂
we're growing okra in a pot this year and it's doing quite well! it's my first foray into gardening but it's fun 🙂
Hi Natalie. I think okra is fun to grow! This is our first year growing okra, and we're very pleased with how it's doing. It's going to get a permanent spot in the garden from now on.
For whatever reason, I had never thought to plant my Okra in pots. What a great idea!! I can't help but suggest my favorite seed companies that have a great selection of Okra so here's their Okra seeds, http://www.sustainableseedco.com/okra/
Thanks Andrea!