Varieties

• Annie Oakley II 
• Clemson Spineless
• Cajun Delight
• North and South

Spacing and Seeding

Seeds are sometimes soaked in water for 24 hours due to their hard seed coat to encourage germination in the soil. They can also be started in the greenhouse and transplanted into the field.

Plant populations range from 7,000 to 15,000 plants per acre, depending on the variety. Spacing ranges from 12” to 24” in the row (100 to 50 plants per 100 feet of row respectively) with 36” between rows.

Lime

Apply lime according to soil test to maintain a soil pH at 6.5 to 7.0.

Fertilizer

If plants are to be grown on plastic mulch, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to be sidedressed can be reduced, since leaching is minimized. If using transplants, apply a liquid fertilizer at transplanting, especially with cool soil conditions. Use a high phosphorous starter fertilizer mixed at a rate of 3 lb/50 gal water. Apply 8 fl oz (1 cup) per transplant.

Harvest

Flowering will occur as soon as 45 days after seeding, depending on the variety, and pods are ready for harvest 5 to 6 days after flowering. Tenderness of the pod decreases as they increase in size. Most varieties will lose their tenderness, desired by the market, when they exceed 3” in length. For this reason okra plantings must be picked almost every other day. Pods are harvested by twisting them off the plant or cutting with a knife.