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Do you know when to pick okra to maximise your harvest ? Our harvest guide explains when to harvest it , and how to put in it for yummy meals !
Contents
There are many reasonableness toadd okra plant to your garden . Okra flowers are beautiful and draw in pollinators . While okra blossom are self - pollinating , the attraction of pollinators to your garden can benefit plants nearby . The pods are a staple fibre in southerly cooking . Can you even call it gumbo without the inclusion of okra seedpod ?
They really boom in hot weather , which make them great producers in the summertime garden across warmer clime . There is a catch , however . Since okra can be such a fertile manufacturer , it ’s significant to acknowledge when to nibble okra from its stems . hold off too long can leave in a tough and inedible pod .
Another benefit of have sex when to glean okra is that the more often that you reap , the more your industrial plant will produce . Okra plants get through matureness within 50 - 75 daytime after transplant . The plants can keep raise pods for at least 10 - 12 weeks . It is possible tokeep lady’s-finger plants flower and make fruit long into the growing season .
If you snip okra plants back after the summertime harvest slow , this will lead in a second declension harvest . At this point , you could leave behind some pods to full mature and almost dry out on the plant if you wish to save seeds for the following year . You could also harvest Abelmoschus esculentus again in the fall .
Since you ’ll likely have an teemingness of okra , in add-on to cognise when to cull okra plant , you ’ll also demand to know how to glean okra decent . Picking okra can be a bother due to their stiff hair that have been known to cause skin irritation . finally , you ’ll need to know the sound fashion to store okra to maximise your harvest time . scan on as we cover all of these topics !
When to Pick Okra
As mentioned above , gumbo plants mature in about 50 - 65 days . When the flora get through maturity , they will then begin flowering . Okra flowers are beautiful , teacup - shape , and resemble hibiscus flowers because they are relate to hibiscus .
Okra flowers are comestible too . If you find yourself with more okra than you may palm , you may need to begin harvesting okra blossom before they turn into pods and run through those too !
Each flower hold out for about a sidereal day on the okra plant before it begins to go back and turn into an okra pod . These flowers are ego - cross-pollinate , so they do n’t involve the aid of pollinators to farm quality pods , but they still attract them all the same .
This can profit nearby plant that do need pollinator to bring on . Pods will come along close to 4 - 5 days after the bloom .
Once the fuel pod touch 2 - 3 inches long and are vibrant in color , then it ’s fourth dimension to glean okra ! foot okra pod at this young stage will assure that they stay tender . The color can variegate depending on which cultivar you ’ve select to grow . An Hibiscus esculentus plant can derive in different shades of unripe , purple , and even red .
It ’s important to glean gumbo pods every few day to advance the plant life to continue to bring about throughout the growing season . Once pod originate too large , they become tough and inedible . These gravid pod can be go out on the industrial plant to dry out if you ’d like to save seeds for the next time of year .
As the summer winds down and the harvest begins to slow , you may trim the okra works back to a height of between 6 - 12 inches . This will advance novel maturation and a 2d drop crop .
How to Harvest Okra
On the surface , harvest okra may seem like a elementary project , but there is some cautiousness to be had . gumbo plants have stiff hairsbreadth known as setulose , which can cause skin irritation . These hunky-dory protrusion can be find on pods , stems , and even okra parting . For this reason , always wear gloves and long sleeves or a tenacious sleeved - shirt while harvesting okra to avoid unmediated contact with the skin .
Not only is it proficient to wear gloves when you ’re harvest okra , it ’s also a right approximation to bring a basket with you to enthrall your harvest so that you may treat the pod as little as possible . There are namby-pamby varieties , but even those may have some setulose growth .
When foot gumbo , be certain to utilize a incisive tongue or pruning shears to cut the theme just above the detonator in one smooth movement . This astute knife will also help limit your striking with the setulose .
How to Store Okra
After you ’re done harvest home okra plant pods , it ’s time to determine how you ’d like to consume it . This will inform you which of the saving methods will suit you well . If you intend to eat it shortly after harvesting okra , it ’s best to store it dry in the crisper draftsman of your refrigerator . The pods will last a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. this path but should be consumed fair cursorily .
After picking okra , the pods areprone to molding and rot , so do n’t wash them until just before cooking them . Those who eat gumbo pod know their slimy texture . While this can be off - putting to some , the seedcase are a cardinal component in okra as they act as a thickening agent . These pods can be used to thicken other soups and stew in the same way .
Okra ’s pods are often leave whole and eaten breaded and late - electrocute . They are also sometimes pickled to extend the ledge life of a harvest even further . Pickled Hibiscus esculentus pods make a tasty addition to a charcuterie plate ! Some choose to fume the Abelmoschus esculentus pod before pickling to give them another layer of tang .
If you intend to lay in okra plant cod for the long catch , consider freezing them . When you freeze Hibiscus esculentus , it will not have the same texture once it thaws . However , the cod will still have the same knob dimension and can be used in soups and stews like sweet lady’s-finger pods . For the best lineament , consume lady’s-finger from the freezer within one year .
Types of Okra
Now , we ’ll cover some of the most common types of lady’s-finger you’re able to include in your summertime garden . These are both thorny and gutless multifariousness , as well as those adapted to unlike climate .
Clemson Spineless Okra
This Abelmoschus esculentus was developed at Clemson University in 1980.Clemson spinelessis an okra plant that can handle cool temperature than others and generally raise earlier .
It does appreciate hot weather , as all Hibiscus esculentus does as well . Clemson okra farewell are green , and when you glean okra from this plant , you ’ll have semi - spineless green pods .
Red Burgundy Okra
If you require to add a spatter of color to your garden , render planting Red Burgundy Okra seed in the ground this summertime . All parts of this industrial plant are deep deep red – stem , fruit , and leave .
Other red varieties may not continue producing through multiple seasons , butRed Burgundy Okrais very productive , with the flavor and despicable texture distinctive to Hibiscus esculentus .
Cow Horn Okra
possibly you want only the most interesting plants in your garden . If you want to try produce Cow Horn okra , you ’ll have a harvest of tender pods that curl from the stem .
Cow Horn has fruit that curl and can grow up to 14 inch long . They have spines , so remember to harvest your crop with fear and a discriminating tongue !
Emerald Heirloom Okra
The tippy pod of Emerald were civilise in 1950 by Campbell ’s Soup Company . Each plant grows a stem that can reach 8 understructure in meridian , shading portion of the garden that ca n’t handle the heating system .
The straight but ribboned fruit you reap from the flora is fantabulous for preparation , as that is what it was break for ! Seeds of this plant life are n’t hard to find online too .
Silver Queen Okra
If you ’re on the Leigh Hunt for seeds that you may develop in the ground through a long summertime season , Silver Queen is a great crop for you .
The works ’s fruit grows to a few inch in about 80 days , perfect for long warm season . The pods are creamy white at their tops ; you’re able to immobilise these just as you could other varieties .
Go Big Okra
permit ’s say you need to harvest okra within a couple of calendar month , and when you do reap okra , you need it to bebig .
Go fully grown semen will facilitate you produce a crop of okra with up to 7 - inch longsighted pods . They ’re just as pleasant-tasting as other gumbo and act both in ornamental and culinary configurations .
Jing Orange Okra
While the seed of this plant is touted as uncommon , it ’s well-heeled to find ! This Chinese heirloom is not really orange ; instead , it ’s a bright red pod that is quick in about 60 day . When you reap Abelmoschus esculentus from one of these plants , the pod will be roughly 3 to 4 in long .
Although some red change are midget plant life , this one can reach 6 foot .
Star of David Okra
When you harvest okra , do you desire big , rich pods ? Try Star of David ! This Mediterranean plant originate purplish leaves on stem that grow 7 feet or more . The pods are over an inch in diameter and phase within 75 days .
The industrial plant is better for long - season Hibiscus esculentus gardener ; surplus care should be take when harvesting these . They are extra barbed but quite delicious . Seed for this industrial plant is available at vary seed - saving allocator .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : How big should okra get before picking ?
A : Okra pods should be picked when they reach between 2 - 3 column inch long .
Q : What to do with Abelmoschus esculentus after pick ?
A : Okra pod can be eat unfermented , pickled , or freeze out for future use . After harvesting okra seedcase , they do not last very long in the icebox . It ’s good to consume the seedpod shortly after pick or otherwise preserve them .
Q : What color should okra be when picked ?
A : That all depends on the change ! Some okra cultivars are green when mature , some seedpod are violet , and some are even red .
Q : How do you know if Abelmoschus esculentus is too gravid ?
A : When okra pod grow too self-aggrandising , they will become ruffianly with a woody texture .
Q : What does advanced okra see like ?
A : advanced okra pod are about 2 - 3 inches longsighted and will be vibrant in color . The color will depend on which variety you are farm . Okra pod generally reach due date about 5 day after the flowers peak .
Q : Do you freeze fresh okra ?
A : Okra seedcase deal immobilize exceptionally well . Especially if you ’re going to expend pods later in a stew or okra , pods can be frozen whole or hack into rounds .
Q : How many times can gumbo be harvested ?
A : Pods form apace during peak season and can be reap every 2 - 3 day .
Q : Do you wash gumbo after picking ?
A : stash away wet Hibiscus esculentus pods allow them susceptible to mold and rot . For this reason , only wash each okra cod right before you ’re going to eat it . Otherwise , your okra pod crop should be stored dry .
