How to grow okra in containers
Does okra grow well in containers?
While okra is a warm season, tropical vegetable, growing okra in containers allows you to bring the plants inside if the temperatures dip too low. Pick a dwarf or smaller-sized okra plant variety for for container growing. Select 3-5 gallon-sized pots with drainage holes for container grown okra plant.
How many okra are in a 5 gallon bucket?
Ideally, a 5-gallon pot that is 10-12 inches deep and similar in diameter would be perfect for one okra plant if you have got a larger pot you can grow a few plants in it.
How many okra plants can you put in a container?
Thin the okra seedlings to only one plant for each pot, choosing the most vigorous of the seedlings after two or more sets of leaves develop.
What is the best month to plant okra?
spring
For the best yields, plant okra in the spring 2 to 3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. For a good fall crop, plant at least 3 months before the first fall frost. Plant the okra seeds about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in the row (Fig.
What can you not plant near okra?
This includes cucumbers, melons, eggplant, and sweet or hot peppers. Cucumbers love water and rich soil, as does okra, so these will do well side by side. Don’t plant them too close, as cucumbers vines spread and also need a large amount of sun to ripen.
Can okra be planted in 5 gallon buckets?
For best results, a five-gallon pot that is ten to 12 inches deep with a similar diameter is the perfect size for a single okra plant. If you use a larger pot, you can grow a few plants in it instead.
Does okra need a lot of water?
Okra does best with about 1/2-inch of water per week, depending on rain fall amounts in your local area. The great thing about growing okra is you can actually go without watering them for a month and the plants will keep on stepping.
Does okra need a trellis?
As mentioned, okra is a very easy plant to grow that doesn’t require a lot of work in the garden. Okra plants will get very tall but they are not the same as vining plants like beans or zucchini. You don’t need to provide a trellis or any support for your plants. They grow more like tall shrubs than vines.
Can you plant tomatoes next to okra?
Another plant you can grow alongside okra is tomatoes. When companion planted, tomatoes act as a trap crop, luring stink bugs away from okra plants. Beyond fruits and vegetables to pair with okra plants, flowers can be a great option to increase pollination in the area.
Does okra need a cage?
They don’t really need the cages, but the cages give me something to tie the plants to if they start getting top-heavy and leaning over into other veggies’ space.
How do you make okra more productive?
Sow seeds three-quarters of an inch deep and 9 inches apart, in rows spaced 3 feet from each other. It’s fine to sow seeds more thickly, but make sure you thin the final stand to 9 or more inches apart. Okra plants get quite large, so greater spacing allows plants to branch and become more productive.
How much okra can one plant produce?
How much okra can you get from one plant? If your okra plants have ideal conditions, they can produce 20 – 30+ pods per plant. In a warmer hardiness zone such as zone 9b, you will have a longer growing season, into the fall or longer.
How many okra plants do I need?
Because of the long growing season and hearty production, four or five plants usually produce enough okra for most families. More plants may be needed, though, to can or freeze okra for use during the winter.
Can you grow okra in a raised bed?
A raised bed is a good option for growing okra. The maintenance becomes easier if you plant in a raised bed. Weeding and pests become a smaller problem for your plants after building a raised bed. The interesting thing is that you can maintain the fertility of soil effortlessly.
How much do you water okra?
Okra loves the heat and can withstand a dry spell, but do your best to give plants 1 inch of water every week. Harvest okra pods when they are 2 to 4 inches long.
How many okra plants should I feed my family?
What size garden does it take to feed a family of four?
…
…
| Crop | Number of Plants to Grow |
|---|---|
| Okra | 2 to 3 per person |
| Onion (bulb) | 10 to 20 per person |
| Onion (scallion) | 15 to 25 per person |
| Onion (shallot) | 10 to 20 per person |
Is okra easy to grow?
Growing Tips
Okra is very easy to grow from seed. It prefers full sun, average moisture without letting the soil dry out completely if possible, and good soil that drains well. A neutral soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is preferred.
How many times can you harvest okra?
Okra should be harvested “cut-and-come-again”—that means pick pods every other day so that you get pods when they are tender and taste best. Harvest okra when pods are 1 to 4 inches long. Pods are ready for harvest about 60 days after sowing. Okra, sometimes called gumbo, is a summer and fall crop.
What can be planted with okra?
Plants like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, and other brassica family members plant well with okra. They add nutrients to the soil which helps improve the health of your okra plants. Sunflowers. These flowers act as a companion plant to attract pollinators, allowing your okra pods to bloom.
How big of a garden do I need to feed a family of 4?
20 feet by 40 feet
Generally speaking, 200 square feet of garden space per person will allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round. For an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden—a plot that’s 20 feet by 40 feet in size should do the trick. If your family is larger (or smaller), scale up or down as needed.
How many seeds does it take to make an okra hole?
Plant the Okra seeds 3/4 to 1 inch deep in hills 12 to 24 inches apart. Plant two seeds per hole and thin the plants, leaving the strongest plant when they reach about 3 inches tall.