Calhoun County, AL – One of my favorite summer vegetables is okra! It reaches harvest in 55-65 days. I like it breaded and fried. As a gardener I have tried many types of okra seeds. However, my most successful okra seeds are always Clemson Spineless Okra. Do not plant okra seeds deep. A depth of ¾ inch deep is good. Each of my stalks produces extra okra pods from summer to early frost. In fact, it produces so many pods that my under twenty five stalks can yield nine double wok skillets of fried okra in my growing season. I usually use a step ladder to reach the fall okra pods to harvest the last pods of the season. As a gardener I enjoy the smooth surface of each pod as I am harvesting, cutting in culinary options, and freezing. I am providing some research history about Clemson Spineless Okra Seeds. Research:
Okra is used as the thickening agent in Cajun gumbo, but it also can be boiled, broiled, fried, roasted, steamed, canned, or pickled. Gardeners can use dried pods in flower arrangements.
About 55 days is the average time required for okra vegetable seeds to reach harvest maturity. The okra plant will keep producing as long as ripe okra is picked. To get the greatest flavor out of the pods, pick when they’re young!
1939, Clemson Spineless Okra, a hybridized variety, is developed at the main station of the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station and subsequently virtually replaces the spiny types.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She is an organic gardener since 1998. Signature flower she grows are Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, raised bed garden, and in ground garden. Both her surnames are agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
