When to Pick Okra | Harvesting Tips
About the Author: Jeremy Starke
I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.
Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12The Okra, which is also known as "lady's finger," is a green flowering plant with edible seed pods. It has long been a favorite of health-conscious people due to its high dietary fiber content and low calories.
Okra plant thrives in warm climates. Here in the South, it is battered and fried to serve with traditional Southern cooking. Yummy!
Although technically a fruit, it is often prepared as vegetables and very popular in South Asia and Africa.
These plants can quickly grow in our vegetable garden and look amazing, especially when the beautiful Okra flowers start to bloom.
When is Okra Ripe?
The Okra plant is usually ready for harvesting around 60 days after planting. Okra pods are ready for picking two to five days after their flowers bloom, depending on the varieties of Okra.
Planting and the Growing Cycle of Okra
The Okra plant is a warm-weather crop that thrives in full sunlight and fertile loam soil. It is recommended to plant Okra in the early spring and around June.
Make sure that when seeding Okra, wait until the ground has warmed up to 60 to 75 degrees for best results.
The Okra seeds should be planted in moist soil at least 1/2 to 1 inch deep and placed 12 to 18 inches apart in a row. It needs at least one inch of water a week to keep the quality of Okra.
Growth would initially be slow but would speed up once it's warmed up in the heat of summer.
It will rapidly increase the size of the Okra leaves and grow 4-6 feet tall in warm climates, especially during hot summer months.
How to Identify a Ripe Okra
It is essential to harvest Okra when it's ripe and avoid waiting too long because it can become very tough and fibrous. It is usually ready a few two to five days after the flowers bloom.
Ripe Okra pods will be around 2 to 3 inches long with a vibrant green or purple color, depending on the Okra varieties.
Mature Okra pods that are larger and have a pale color are more fibrous and are not anymore suitable for cooking and consumption.
Make sure to check ripe Okra pods crop at least every 1 to 2 days because they can grow very fast.
Harvesting Okra Tips
Okra has a velvety texture due to the hairs on Okra. Don't forget to wear gloves, especially if you are harvesting the spineless variety, since they can have fine protrusions called setulose growth in their stems, leaves, and pods.
Gloves can also prevent skin irritation and softening before use.
Okra roots are fragile, so it's better to snap rather than pull the pods so you do not affect the roots. It is also advisable to remove large okra leaves, especially the ones that cover the pods.
This exposes the pods to more sunlight which means a bountiful okra harvest. Choose Okra pods that are only 2-3 inches; bigger pods are already hard, chewy, and too fibrous to eat.
One advantage of the Okra plants is the more you pick, the more yields of Okra it will produce. Some variety of Okra can grow up to 6 feet and would need a ladder.
To avoid this, you can cut the upper third of the plant in late summer. Don't worry; they will still produce many pods in their lower portions.
How to Harvest Okara
The Okra plant can produce fresh Okra for up to 12 weeks with proper watering and care. The more you harvest, the more Okra pods it will grow.
Make certain you do not let the pods mature because they will stop producing flowers and new pods. Okra is best consumed just after harvest while it is still fresh.
Canning
Another effective way of storing and preserving the Okra is canning, which is keeping food by processing and sealing them in airtight containers such as jars.
Before canning, makes sure to choose tender pods, then wash and trim both ends.
You can place the whole pod or cut it into one-inch slices the boil in a saucepan for 2 minutes. Drain the water and then put the Okra pods into a hot jar, then add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt.
Fill the jars and the seal properly for processing.
The jars are usually processed using a weighted gauge or dial-gauge pressure canner. Processing time will take around 25-40 minutes.
Let the jars rest for about 24 hours and then wash, label, and place the date. You have to make sure the jars are properly sealed before storing them.
If they are not sealed you have to process them again.
Final Thoughts
Aside from its health benefits, Okra is also delicious to eat. One of my favorite Okra recipes is the cornmeal-battered fried okra and gumbo stew, thickened using Okra.
It also tastes good when it's grilled or roasted. The Okra is an essential vegetable that is healthy, cheap, and easy to produce.
Meet Jeremy Starke
I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.
Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12 Read My Story →Frequently Asked Questions
How big should Okra be before you pick it?
The Okra should at least be 2 to 3 inches big before you pick them. Bigger Okras can become tough, fibrous, and not fit for eating.
How long can you harvest okra?
Okra plants can produce pos for 10-12 weeks. Make sure to harvest as often as possible to maximize your crop because they can have new pods 2-3 days after picking them.
