Okra can be a grand and beautiful center piece of your garden. Okra is a member of the hibiscus family and is known for having on of most inspiring blooms on the planet. Bloom colors can run the entire gamut from rich reds to vibrant yellows to awe inspiring purples. Unfortunately these magical plants will only bloom for one day.

Okra Geography
Okra comes to use from the fare corners of Asia and Africa. Okra is native to the wild areas of the upper Nile River and has been used for a variety of purposes in northern Africa for a number of centuries. It is thought that Okra was first brought to the country by African trading ships where it quickly became a favorite ingredient in Cajun cooking.

Okra Growing Conditions
Okra grows with ease in warm to hot climates so it is primarily known as a southern crop. Southern states have a longer growing season that makes it much easier to grow Okra but since Okra is so hardy it is possible to grow Okra in northern states as well.

How to Grow Okra
Most people will start Okra from seeds or if your garden your garden is located in a northern state many people will begin with "in house" started transplants. It is important to note that Okra can grow in as little as four months if you can guarantee that those four months will be frost free but the gardener should understand that yields from the Okra plants that are grown in the north will be slightly smaller due to the abbreviated growing season. This is easily made up for by just planting a few more Okra plants.

How to Germinate Okra Seed
A major problem with germinating the Okra seed is that the have a very tough outer shell that makes it difficult for them to sprout. A great trick is to place the Okra seeds in the freezer overnight prior to planting them. This will cause the Okra seeds to form small cracks in their hard outer shell that will allow them to germinate them much faster. Some gardeners will also soak them overnight to soften the hard outer shell… this way when you plant them the next day the will have a good start towards germination.

Also See our Vegetable Guide

If you like Vegetables....These pages might also interest you:

Good Looking Vegetable Gardens, Growing Garlic, History of the Tomato, How to Grow a Great Pepper, When are Vegetables Ripe?, Growing Oversized Vegetables, Growing Peas in the Garden, Growing Tomatoes, Tips for Growing Potatoes