OKRA SEEDLINGS SKIN
OKRA SEEDLINGS FULL

OKRA SEEDLINGS SKIN

Note: Okra has large, hairy leaves, as well as tiny spines on its pods, both of which may cause skin irritation consider wearing gloves and/or long sleeves when handling. The plants grow back and product another crop ofВ okra.

In warm regions, some growers cut plants to about 2 feet when productivity slows in summer.

Prune the tops of okra plants when they reach 5 to 6 feet tall.

One inch of water per week is ideal, but use more if you are in a hot, aridВ region.

Keep the plants well watered throughout the summer months.

When the seedlings are about 3 inches tall, thin the plants so that they are 18 to 24 inchesВ apart.

Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting. Avoid too much nitrogen, which deters flowering and encourages leafy growth. You could also apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.

Side-dress the plants with 10-10-10, aged manure, or rich compost (1/2 pound per 25 feet of row).

Eliminate weeds when the plants are young, then mulch heavily-4 to 8 inches-to prevent moreВ weeds.

Okra plants are tall, soВ space out the rows 3 to 4 feetВ apart.

If you are planting okra transplants, be sure to space them 1 to 2 feet apart to give them ample room toВ grow.

You can soak the seeds overnight in tepid water to help speed upВ germination.

Plant okra seeds about 1/2В to 1В inch deep and 12 to 18 inches apart in a row.

To speed germination, soak seeds for a few hours in warm water beforeВ sowing. OkraвЂ™s BB-pellet size seeds have a hard shell.

OKRA SEEDLINGS FULL

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 springВ frost.Or, to direct sow okra seeds without any protection from the cold, wait until the soil is 65В° toВ 75В°. Make sure that the covering is this high so that plants have room to grow. Sow okra directly into the garden 3 to 4 weeksВ before the last spring frost dateВ and cover the plants with a 2- to 3-foot-high cold frame or grow tunnel until the weather warms up fully.Before planting, mix aged manure and/or compost into theВ soil. Soil needs to be fertile and well-drained neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Okra needs full sun and hot weather withВ evening temperatures that are in the 60s (Fahrenheit) or warmer.

Okra seedlings