Okra can be stored in the refrigerator for about seven days. The optimum conditions for storing okra are a moist environment and temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees F. Handle okra carefully because the pods bruise easily. Do not allow pods to mature on the plant because this will slow production and cause tough, fibrous pods. Okra grows very fast therefore, it must be harvested every few days. Round-podded okra varieties remain tender at larger pod sizes and are good to use for slicing and freezing. Larger okra pods will become too tough and fibrous. Okra should be ready to harvest about 60 to 70 days after planting, when pods are 2- to 3-inches long. Organic mulches help control weeds and conserve moisture. Where mechanical cultivation is necessary, it should be shallow and done only as often as required to control weeds. Okra is harvested over a long period of time and full-season weed control is important. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation tape are the best methods for applying water. During prolonged dry periods, a deep soaking once every seven to 10 days with 1 to 1.5 inches of water should be adequate. Moisture is especially important during flowering and pod development. Okra can tolerate dry conditions however, watering may be necessary during extended dry periods. Do not over-use nitrogen, since it can cause excessive vegetative growth with poor yield. Additional sidedressing may be needed if heavy rains occur. With no soil test, a general recommendation would be to apply 2 pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 square feet and make two sidedressings of 3 ounces of 10-10-10 per 100 feet of row, beginning when plants are 6- to 8-inches tall and again two to three weeks later. Fertilizationīefore planting, have the soil tested at the local County Extension office and follow any recommendations. When seedlings are several inches tall, thin the row so the remaining plants are spaced 1.5- to 2-feet apart. Space rows 3-feet apart sow seeds 1-inch deep and 4- to 6-inches apart within the row. To enhance germination, soak okra seeds in water for several hours or overnight before sowing. Okra can be established by sowing seeds directly into the garden. Only plant when soils have warmed up to at least 65 degrees F at a 4-inch depth. Align the rows in an east/west direction to capture maximum sunlight. Okra does best when planted in a full sun area. Okra can tolerate a pH range from 5.8 to 6.8. Okra prefers well-drained, sandy soils that are high in organic matter, but it can be grown in a wide variety of soils. This vegetable is both easy and fun to grow and can be used in many different culinary dishes and for dried flower arrangements. It is considered a warm season vegetable and is a member of the Mallow family, which includes plants such as cotton and hibiscus. Okra is a Southern staple in the home garden and at the dinner table and can be grown throughout the state of Georgia. We will always advise of the carriage charge before payment is taken.Robert Westerfield, Extension Horticulturist We reserve the right to revise any carriage charges in the event of carrier price increase or other unforeseen circumstances. Some items may not be available to all areas. We reserve the right to contact you and advise an additional charge where necessary and are happy to quote for carriage of specific products to more remote areas. We may need to contact you regarding delivery so please provide a contact number with all orders. These items are also not available to areas and postcodes shown under non standard deliveries. If ordering any large items marked a surcharge of £5 per item will be applied. Please accept our apologies for any inconvience caused. We are committed to finding a way that we can resume or normal services again as soon as possible. Unfortunately like many companies in our industry we are currently only able to supply orders to UK based customers, excluding those in Northern Ireland. So regretfully while we offer the majority of our live plant offering nationwide, we are unable to ship plugs, begging plants and tender vegetable plants to the following areas: HS, IV41-IV49, IV51, IV55-56, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR24, ZE1-ZE3. While the majority of our nursery plants cope well with slight delays in intransit, sadly, the time it takes to deliver to certain locations in the UK means that we can't guarantee this for some of our smaller plug products and tender bedding and vegetable lines, which do not respond well to the extra journey time. Suttons strives to ensure that all its plants are delivered to you in the perfect condition for planting. If your order comprises of a combination of carriage charges then a combined carriage charge of £7.99 will be applied. Packet seed only will incur a carriage charge of £2.99.Īll other products incur a carriage charge of £6.99.
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