The pods that you want to harvest are the ones that are 2 inches long or longer. Here is more about what we do. It is relatively easy to grow okra for beginners but the key is to monitor the harvest. Harvesting okra can be tricky, however, because you have to harvest the pods before they become tough. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! Water the plants regularly, and when the pods reach 3-4 inches in length, harvest them. Use pods immediately or they will begin to lose quality and flavor. Harvesting Okra Okra needs to be harvested when the pods are still soft. It comes with six adjustable seed plates that allow for a variety of different seeds to be planted in the seeder. Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a vegetable crop of high nutritional value, which presents great losses after harvest when stored under poor storage conditions. Pods form quickly during the peak of summer and you should look to harvest every 2-3 days. Email: hello@okra.ai, OKRA Technologies. Okra needs to be harvested when it is four to five inches long. In more temperate climates, to grow okra, the seed must be started indoors, 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Picking okra is simple, just test the larger pods by cutting them open with a sharp knife. With heavy producers like 'Burgundy,'. Large mature pods become tough and stringy. Avoid cheap versions that can have flimsy handles that are prone to break. Mequoda Publishing Network Plant seedlings 12-18 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart. Thanks, I live in south Georgia my orka plants are just starting to bloom but the bloom is turning brown and falling off. Below is a list of items to consider. As each flower fades, you have a three to four day window to wrap up your harvest. Summer insect pests do like okra. When my okra plants are about 18-inches tall, I cut the top out of the plant, or cut it back to the nearest leaves from the top. You can store your okra in your refrigerator or you can freeze it, can it, or pickle it, but process it for long term storage immediately after harvesting because okra spoils quickly. Harvest the pods when they're about 2-3 inches long. If you can tolerate the slime factor (or if you love it!) The pods that you will want to keep are the ones that are 2 to 4 inches long. Leave the pods on the plant until they have dried and turned brown, then cut them from the plant as you would as if harvesting them to eat. It takes up to 60 days for okra to be at full maturity. Prior to dehydration, add a variety of seasonings and sea salt if you wish and eat them as a crispy snack. Add chopped okra. If the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should be tossed. There should be enough space for this tropical crop to grow and thrive. The Handy Twine Knife fits on the top of your finger and allows you to harvest with the flick of. Your email address will not be published. Okra plants will continue to produce fruit if the pods are harvested frequently. })(); Join our gardening family to receive the latest tips. Copyright 2022 Hoss Tools. Pods should not be washed immediately unless you plan to cook with them that day. Have a basket or bag hung over your arm to put the okra in as you cut it. Do you have any okra harvesting tips and tricks? COMPANY. Just make sure you have a good trowel to mix with. Once the plant starts growing and reaches a height of about 3 inches, begin thinning the plant to be 30-45cm apart from each other. For more guidance that will include more visual aids for all the visual learners out there and will also be more entertaining, please save the date for our upcoming virtual Good Food for Thought event, all about getting ready for Livin' la Vida Okra on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 3:00 pm.This fun AND practical event will include a presentation on how to plant your okra seeds with students . Each time you pick, you encourage more growth, so harvest regularly. By harvesting at the right size, it will ensure you're able to enjoy your okra this season- and it finds a place in future summer gardens to come. Some folks use an egg batter before dredging, and others use milk or buttermilk. If the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should betossed. Let the pods stand for 30 minutes while still tossing them every five to ten minutes. CURBSIDE PICKUP WELCOME. To plant: Soak the okra in water for 12 to 18 hours prior to planting to soften the outer shell of the seed. Rows should be about three to four feet apart, as the plants will grow quite tall. 57 mg of magnesium. If you are planting okra transplants, be sure to space them 1 to 2 feet apart to give them ample room togrow. Where summers are short, especially in more northern areas, start okra seeds indoors in peat pots under full light 3 to 4 weeks before the last springfrost. Instead of harvesting okra, if you want to save some pods for seed leave them on the plant and harvest okra when they become fully mature and almost dry. If the pods cut or snap open easily, they are still good, but you should use them within a day or two. This is one of the reasons many do not like to eat okra. Spineless types have pods that dont present this problem. Sign up for our newsletter. The first flower buds, flowers, and subsequent pods will appear among the large leaves at the base of the plant. Remember not to do this if you still plan on harvesting okra to eat. Flowers and pods first appear at the base of the plant and then keep producing upward. canning or pickled okra is good and results in crispy pieces [uncut], goes well in a nice green salad also. Sow two seeds per peat pot and clip off the weaker seedling. A wheelbarrow makes it easy for you to move soil and mulch from plant to plant; and it works as an excellent mixing bowl when youre combining the perfect soil blend. Of course, the most famous okra dish is probablygumbo. Welcome to Harvest to Table. Also Can Used for Cutting Paper. Don't be surprised if your red types turn green, or at least a paler shade of red, during cooking. long. Working your okra patch or eating okra means having the right tools to do the job in both the garden and the kitchen. Okra plants are tall, sospace out the rows 3 to 4 feetapart. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Plant herbs near okra such as sage, oregano, savory, coriander, dill, and thyme. If one is predicted and podsare drying on the plant for seeds, cut the plant and hang it indoors to dry. Yet for okra you want small pods. Thin to 12-18" apart. Many plants thrive when watered slowly and deeply. Another benefit of growing okra is they work great for succession planting throughout the warmer months. Some communities offer rain barrels at a special discount to encourage water conservation. You can freeze okra pods without blanching them, but blanching them destroys the enzymes and kills the bacteria that would cause the color, flavor, texture, and nutritional value of your okra to deteriorate. Use a scissors or a hand pruner to cut the okra pods just above their caps, where their thick stems meet the branches of the plant. Your email address will not be published. For best germination results, the pots should be bottom heated until the seeds sprout. Don't use flour, as this will cake up and the okra will end up mushy. Just remember to add another thickener to your gumbo if youve prepped your harvest with another cooking method first, to reduce its gooeyness. These spines might cause skin irritations. Space seeds 4 to 6 inches apart within the row. Now that I live in the Midwest, I dont see the crop as often in community gardens and at farmers markets. Privacy Policy Once the seeds sprout, thin the seedlings to 18-24 inches apart. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. Okra not only produces pods quickly, but the pods also grow and mature quickly. OKRA helped us to uncover actionable insights. Okra is grown at elevations ranging from sea level to 1600 m. The optimum temperatures for the growth and production of high-quality pods range between 24 and 30C. Harvest okra when the pods are 1 to 4 inches long. DIRECT SEEDING: After frost danger, sow 2" apart, 1/2" deep when soil is warm - at least 70F (21C). The pods should be a very vibrant color, either green or purple depending on the variety you are growing. For recipes that call for okra, visit Foodal, where youll find: Cooking Southern Style with Healthy Variations, and Big Mamas New Orleans Style Cosmopolitan Seafood Gumbo.. These are what you are after to harvest and cook. The more you pick okra the more youll get. Rinse the okra and drain. Harvest the pods when tender and immature, about 5-10cm (2-4in) long. and pick the rest when theyre 2 to 2 1/2 inches long instead. They are most tender when they're 2 to 4 inches long and as wide as a pinkie finger. Dry it out and use it in floral arrangements or save the seeds for nextyear. Okra: Harvest when pods are 2 to 3 inches long. The pods should be harvested when they are 2-3 inches in length. You might also consider wearing gloves and long sleeves as the okra leaves and pods have very fine hairs that may cause some irritation to your skin. Pods may also be deformed due to the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug, which can cause your okra pods to be misshapen and twisted. Or, try roasting okra bring out its natural nuttiness. If pods stay wet, they will potentially begin to mold and develop a slimy, outer coating. Whats Killing My Broccoli? Sow okra seeds outdoors about two weeks after the danger of frost is past. Simply use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving about 1/4 inch of the stem at the top of the okra pod. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Use a hand pruner or twine knife to slice ripened pods from the plant, and youll be in and out of the okra patch in record time. Okra tastes best the day you pick it. Leaving them on the plant will slow the production of new pods as the plant turns its energy toward growing and maturing the seeds in the older, longer pods. A 2-3 inch high layer of mulch will execute the job abundantly. An ergonomic harvesting bucket hangs over both shoulders and sits right in front of you. Having both hands free. . Okra blooms do not last more than a day before falling off, leaving behind the small green nub that will eventually turn into the okra pod, which will be ready to harvest in a few days. The Jambalaya okra is a hybrid variety that produces green pods that have heavy yields that are great for pickling, frying, or stewing. Contact with the stiff hairs on okra leaves can cause some people to itch; wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when you pick okra. forms: { A standard sprinkler system is not the best solutionwhile easy to set up, the wide-ranging water coverage of a sprinkler can lead to wet plant leaves that promote diseases and can encourage weeds. The Global Okra market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2023 and 2029. Before planting, mix aged manure and/or compost into thesoil. So, before you add it to your compost, you will need to chop it up into small pieces or toss it down on the ground in your garden and run your lawn mower over it as you bag it before you add it to your compost. For any other requests including press and speaking opportunities, please email hello@okra.ai, OKRA Technologies, St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WS, United Kingdom, Switchboard: +44 (0)1223 420252 Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Harvesting Okra. Harvest the okra when seed pods are 1 to 2 days old and 2 to 4 inches long; these appear about 2 months after planting. which are cool season crops. Hear from Medical and Commercial Leaders Regarding Scalable Insight Solutions: OKRA.ai joining forces with Envision Pharma Group, OKRA.ai wins prestigious Deloitte Fast 50 Women in Leadership Award, Webinar: NLP Insights to Transform Customer Engagement, Machine learning and the 4th industrial revolution, Uncover the benefits of AI for Life Sciences, Use foresight and let AI guide you to the best opportunity and the right time, Enable teams to make faster decisions and know what makes an impact, Unite scientific information to deliver tailored HCP engagement, Drive internal/external medical strategy with critical insights from the Field, Obtain accurate drug price for submission, Avoid lengthy manual analysis and clinical research, Gain the upper hand in payer negotiations. Pods should be cut using pruners from the main stalk, living a bit of a tip to the pod. However, once okra plants get so tall they become less productive and harvesting will be more difficult. Every gardenerno matter what plants youre tendingneeds a spade, or even several of different sizes. How to Save Okra Seeds He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. This is one thing you can go basic onno need for anything fancy, as a simple plastic spray bottle is fine. It wont hurt the pods to let them fall to the ground at these low levels. The ideal size to pick okra is 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. Harvesting okra is easy. 2022University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|College of ACES| Web Privacy Notice|EEO|Accessibility|Staff Login|myExtension, Extension Educator Local Food Systems and Small Farms, Serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago, Serving Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. [7] 6. Okra plants produce pods from mid-summer until temperatures drop in autumn, often up to the first frost. Okra pods will be ready to pick up after 3 to 4 days. Do you want to learn more? When mature, I slice the pods and dehydrate for use in soup. You will need to pick them before the pods become too hard to be enjoyed. If you leave them too long, the pods get hard and woody. Fill the bags or containers to within 1/2 of the top, and prevent freezer burn by removing as much of the air as possible. Once you have your pods and decided on your recipe, consider how you cut the pods. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); .slick-slider#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83656.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83656.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } You could also apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Okra, sometimes called gumbo, is a summer and fall crop. The Ultimate Tool for Harvesting Okra Hoss Tools 224K subscribers Subscribe 16K views 5 years ago The Handy Twine Knife is the ultimate tool for harvesting okra in your vegetable garden. When harvesting okra, it is best to use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the pods off the plant. 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Transplant after all danger of frost is over. The device has been described as used for cutting an okra pod or flower from a plant. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife. All Rights Reserved. See how to plant, grow, and harvestokra. Congrats! Okra is mainly grown for its green tender nutritive fruits. A severe freeze can damage pods. "Working with OKRA to co-develop tools for our field teams has been really satisfying, it has been like working with a trusted partner, open and honest discussion and ability to challenge each other leading to a product that met, and surpassed expectation. If you look at the flower of okra, youll see a resemblance to a hibiscus flower. Our inventive, precision harvest tools include greens harvesters, machetes, knives, shears, and pruners, as well as the hones and sharpeners, sheaths, and replacement parts you need to keep them going year after year. With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what shes learned and is always ready to dig into a new project! 13 Common Diseases, Whats Killing My Broccoli? Avoid too much nitrogen, which deters flowering and encourages leafy growth. A planting distance of 50 x 50 cm would be ideal. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, shes always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Even inferior metal trowels can bend in hard clay or rocky soil. Transplanting Okra. Email: hello@okra.ai. Okra matures quickly, especially if you have a summer of hot weather which the plant prefers. The flower buds, flowers, and pods will begin appearing at increasingly higher levels on the plant, and when they do, you can use pruning shears to remove those large lower leaves. Along with its height and growth structure, okra plants are known for their flowers. long. Delivering in Medical, Commercial, and Market Access, OKRA.ai is transforming Pharmaceutical industry operations. Start okra indoors three to four weeks before the last average frost date. Well walk you through the process and give you all of our tips and tricks, and then finish up with some preparation and recipe recommendations. General Information. ", "In my view, OKRA can help take Pharma to a new level when it comes to truly benefitting from AI in their commercial practices, and it helps that theyre a great team to work with too!". Food Gardening Network is an active member of the following industry associations: Food Gardening Network There are five sizes ranging from 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Canning equipment: While not okra-specific, you may want to pickle some of your okra; to do it right, youll need canning equipment to make sure you follow best food safety practices. Harvesting Okra Okra is ready for harvest 55 to 65 days after planting. Okra flowers bloom for just one day and pods are ready for picking two or three days later. Powered by Growing okra is a simple garden task. You can keep okra in your freezer for up to nine months. Also, you want one that has a comfortable grip. To speed germination, soak seeds for a few hours in warm water beforesowing. Envision Pharma Group acquires artificial intelligence technology company OKRA.ai: Pivotal acquisition in Envision Pharma Groups tech-enabled offerings provides clients with access to advanced AI to accelerate decision-making which optimizes their products path to market and ultimately supports the delivery of enhanced patient outcomes. Handle them gently as the skin is easily marked. Okra bears pretty flowers before making fruit. Unless it is near the end of the growing season and you want to harvest the okra seeds, you should remove these longer pods from your plants when you find them. If you struggle to cut the stem of the okra pods, it's very likely too old to eat. Once you're done picking okra, store them in plastic bags in your refrigerator where they will last about a week or freeze the pods if you have too much to use. The plants will continue to produce at the lower levels. Okra grows fast in temperatures that range from 75 - 90 degrees. There are several different okra varieties that we have available that are not only productive but have excellent flavor profiles. 3. Were here to help! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Call Food Gardening Network Customer Service at 100% Satisfaction Guarantee 69 Products Sort By: Victorinox Serrated Knife Warmer soil temperatures will hasten germination, so consider placing a seed-starting heat mat under the seed trays. Content uploaded. The L'il Hod (8 Quart) measures 16"Lx9"Wx9"H and has a capacity of approximately 8 quarts. If they are too difficult to cut, they are too old and should be removed as they will rob the plant of the nutrients it needs to produce new pods. While more expensive than a simple watering can, an investment in an irrigation system can pay offspecially to ensure proper watering when youre at work or on vacation! its no coincidenceokra is a member of the hibiscusfamily! It is a simple garden task you will perform a few times a week. Choose a site in full sun with healthy soil and a lot of room. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy. It can also be used for cutting other types of vegetables from the plant such as green beans (pole or bush) as well as for harvesting figs or cut flowers particularly a rose which has thorny stems. Though growing okra from seed is a popular, reliable method, it is also possible to propagate okra through stem cuttings. Checking the pods to prevent them from becoming too tough and woody to eat might keep you harvesting them on a daily basis. 2023 Updated Herb Scissors Set - Herb Scissors With 5 Blades and Cover, Cool Kitchen Gadgets for Cutting Shredded Lettuce, Cilantro Fresh, Green Onion Fresh and etc. } 1121 Main Street | P.O. please give me the answer to this question???? Harvest Okra Harvest okra when the pods are 1 to 4 inches long. If youre growing in a warm climate, you may cut plants to the ground mid-season to let them grow up again for a fall crop. Slip it on the upper part of your finger, just past the first knuckle. Before sowing, it is useful to soak the seeds for 24 . It will produce pods five to six days after it blooms, and the pods will be ready for harvesting two to three days after they first appear. The best tool for harvesting okra in the garden is our Handy Twine Knife. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Get yourself a good-sized watering can, and have some fun finding a watering can with an interesting design that fits your personality. Harvest okra every other day to keep them producing as long as possible. In 2021, the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption . We recommend using a cover crop like Broadleaf Mustardthat will release chemicals to help suppress nematode, fungi, and insect populations and increase organic matter which will improve soil tilth and quality of the soil structure in the vegetable garden area. For a nice stewy dish, simmer fresh tomatoes and onions and perhaps some pre-fried bacon pieces. Get a comfortable pair of gloves that fit well, so you still have full dexterity in your garden. This way, you can still get through harvest season before it gets too cold. After blanching okra, you can freeze the pods whole, cut them in slices, or dice them. If you collect rainwater, you can put it to good use when it comes time to tend your plants. Temperature is the key to a successful okra harvest. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife. When your chosen varieties approach maturity, pods begin to form. Growing okra. We recommend transplanting okra in the early spring to get a jumpstart on production and early germination of plants during the growing season. Dwarf types, which seldom exceed 5 feet in height, are best for containers. Required fields are marked *. Okra pods are delicate so be careful when handling the pods so they don't bruise. Alternately, place the pods in a lidded jar and store in the refrigerator. This pruning technique causes the buds to grow on the main stem and produce a secondary, late crop. It takes only about four days from the time of flowering to the time to pick okra. Due to these plants loving the warmer weather temperatures they need to be planted in an area with plenty of sunlight. When picked regularly you are able to get multiple harvests off one okra plant. Many gardeners are discovering okra and the range of this warm-weather crop has been creeping northward and gaining in popularity. 23 mg of vitamin C. 0.2 mg of thiamin. Okra most likely originated in northeast Africa where okra plants can be found growing wild along the banks of the White Nile River and where it has been part of the cuisine for thousands of years. Regardless of type, irritation does not occur when you eatokra. Even so-called spineless varieties may have some setulose growth, so dont be surprised if you encounter these fine protrusions on pods, stems, and leaves. Picking okra should be done when the pods are 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) My Mother tried to cook some okra years ago and it turned out SLIMMY! You can soak the seeds overnight in tepid water to help speed upgermination. Set your fresh okra in a strainer and place it over a large bowl. Slimy, seed-filled pods just arent for everyone. Okra plants will continue to produce fruit if the pods are harvested frequently. Its blunt in front, so it only cuts what it catches. Leaving the pods on the plant to mature like this slows down the development of new pods. If it broke, it was justright. Pale pods, even if the right size, can be woody. myself I saute` tomatoes [with onions if you like] and add cut okra. Twine knife (ring knife): This little gizmo will make harvesting your okra so much easier. The fruit should be harvested in the morning and evening. However, with a few cooking tricks, you can make them not only palatable, but delicious. Cut each pod into 1/4"-1/2" lengths, coat with your favorite breading mix a fry in a pan on medium heat until golden brown. This can be done a few days after the blooms fade. Destroy crop residue, including roots; choose resistant varieties; solarize soil; add aged manure/compost; disinfect garden tools; till in autumn; Yellow/white blotches on leaves; scarred, dimpled, or distorted fruit/pods; shriveled seeds; eggs, often keg-shape, in clusters on leaf undersides, Destroy crop residue; handpick (bugs emit odor, wear gloves); destroy eggs, spray nymphs with insecticidal soap; use row covers; weed diligently; till soil in fall, Sticky honeydew (excrement); sooty, black mold; yellow/silver areas on leaves; wilted/stunted plants; distortion; adults fly if disturbed; some species transmit viruses, Remove infested leaves/plants; use handheld vacuum to remove pests; spray water on leaf undersides in morning/evening to knock off pests; monitor adults with yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; invite beneficial insects and hummingbirds with native plants; weed diligently; use reflective mulch, Sow okra directly into the garden 3 to 4 weeksbefore the last spring. If you leave them too long, the pods get hard and woody. Do you have any essential gardening tools you use that arent listed here? All Rights Reserved. If you let them grow to their full, mature length, you'll have a harvest of decorative pods or pods full of seeds for next season. It's not like lettuce, kale, cabbage, etc. The tender young leaves are also edible, for a fresh addition to salads, or as a cooked side dish.