Planting
A key aspect of establishing okra is waiting until the soil temperature at planting depth is at least 70 F, otherwise, it may be difficult to obtain a uniform plant stand from seed. However, if planted too late in the spring, flowering of some varieties may be delayed due to okras’ day-length requirements for flowering. Transplants of okra can also be used for establishment and will take approximately four weeks to produce prior to transplanting in the field (HLA-6020). Transplanting into black-plastic mulch-covered raised beds will reduce the time to harvest, particularly during cool wet springs.
Direct seeding is the primary method used for crop establishment. Seed okra approximately ¾ to 1 inch in depth in rows 42 inches apart for dwarf types and 48 to 60 inches apart for medium to large types. Harvesting can be difficult if rows are spaced too closely. Seed should be spaced 3 to 4 inches apart in the row then thinned to 12 to 15 inches apart for dwarf types and 18 to 24 inches apart for standard to large types. Okra varieties shown in Table 2 include several medium to large types and one dwarf type. The most recent OSU variety recommendations can be found in HLA-6035 Commercial Vegetable Varieties for Oklahoma. In addition to these recommended varieties, some larger-diameter and long-podded types can be productive. Before purchasing seed, the grower should consider which varieties are acceptable for the intended market.
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