Overview

Did you know that much of the United States supply of okra is grown right here in Florida? It’s grown throughout the state, but especially in around the Dade County area. This versatile veggie is used in gumbos, curries, and even served fried! I am not a huge fan of eating okra, but it’s still worth growing for the beautiful hibiscus-like flowers it produces.

Okra, a flowering plant in the mallow family, is indigenous to East Africa and produces edible green seed pods. It is cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions worldwide and is a staple ingredient in the cuisines of many countries. As a member of the Malvaceae family, it shares botanical ties with species such as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus. The leaves are characterized by their long and broad shape, typically with 5-7 palmately lobed segments. The flowers feature five white to yellow petals, often adorned with a red or purple spot at the base of each petal.

Now that a brief overview of gumbo’s favorite gal, lady fingers, has been done, let’s talk about growing them in Zone 9b and beyond!

Zone 9b Florida

North East Florida has heavy rains, humid summers, and pests leaving one to wonder, how can I be successful? Choosing the right crops, varieties, and planting season can make an extraordinary difference in your vegetable garden. So what types of okra are best suited for Florida? When choosing a variety you should consider the growth habits of that particular variety. Here are some varieties that are recommended for Florida:

• Annie Oakley II
• Cajun Delight
• Emerald
• Clemson Spineless
• North and South
• Cow’s Horn
• Blondy

Okra is increasingly valued as an ornamental, too. Varieties like ‘Alabama Red’ and ‘Burgundy’ offer bold, red foliage and striking flowers. Currently, I do not have any plans to grow okra during the summer season this year, but I have grown it in previous years. Let me warn you, while it is easy to grow, okra is a very large and tall plant. I was amazed that I was able to grow 1 large healthy plant per square foot in my raised garden beds.

Care and Planting

Okra plants do best when soil temperatures are between 68 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and are a fairly fast-growing crop. Their ability to withstand the heat and humidity makes them perfect for planting during Florida’s summer season.

You can direct plant seeds into the garden from March through June, but I find that I have a healthier crop when the seeds are started in trays and then transplanted into the garden. If you decide to use the transplant method then start seeds in trays in February and transplant them out in March or April after all danger of frost is gone. Water and weed accordingly.

Harvesting

As mentioned before, okra is a fast-growing crop and can reach maturity within 50-70 days. You know that harvest is a few days away when the okra plant’s flowers begin to bloom. Okra pods are ready to harvest when they reach two to three inches long, but take care to wear gloves as the pods are covered in tiny hairs that can cause skin irritation. Fear not, the tiny torture hairs dissolve during the cooking process!