Question: I would like to grow okra in my garden, but I'm not sure if it's possible to grow a decent crop this far north. Do you have any advice?
Answer: Not only is it possible to grow okra in Western Pennsylvania, it's relatively easy. That is, if you keep a few things in mind.
First and foremost, select the variety very carefully. Because many types have a long maturation period, it's essential that you choose a cultivar that reaches a harvestable size in less than 65 or 70 days. Varieties that produce pods on dwarf plants are a double bonus, as some of them manage to produce in as little as 50 days. “Baby Bubba,” “Jambalaya” and “Dwarf Long Green Pod” are three such varieties.
Full-size okra varieties to try include “Burgundy” with its wine-red pods, “Clemson Spineless” with its prolific production and “Cajun Delight,” a former All-American Selections winner.
Second, because few nurseries sell okra plants, you'll have to start your plants from seed. In the South, gardeners can sow seeds directly in the garden; they'll have plenty of time to produce pods during their long growing season. But here in the North, you'll need to sow seeds indoors under lights in late April and then move the transplants out into the garden in late May or early June, after the danger of frost has passed.
Because okra loves hot, sunny weather, locate the plants where they'll receive a minimum of eight hours of full sun per day. Give them plenty of room, as full-size types can reach up to 6 feet in height. Dwarf varieties reach between 3 and 4 feet.
Their light yellow, hibiscus-like blossoms are almost enough of a reason to grow this plant without ever making a single harvest. They're just beautiful.
You can get a jump-start on your okra harvest by following two additional practices. First, cover the planting site with black plastic mulch for a few weeks before setting out the transplants. This heats up the soil quickly, something this African native loves. Second, cover the tops of the newly transplanted seedlings with floating row cover to protect them from cooler evening temperatures by creating a sort of mini-greenhouse.
Pods will form a few days after the blossoms drop and are ready to harvest four to six days later. Pick them while the skin is still tender and before the seeds develop. Leave about an inch of stem intact to prevent the pods from losing moisture.
Horticulturist Jessica Walliser co-hosts “The Organic Gardeners” at 7 a.m. Sundays on KDKA Radio. She is the author of several gardening books, including “Good Bug, Bad Bug.” Her website is www.jessicawalliser.com.
Send your gardening or landscaping questions to tribliving@tribweb.com or The Good Earth, 503 Martindale St., 3rd Floor, D.L. Clark Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
