In some ways, growing okra from seeds is easy. It will tolerate poor soils, little moisture, and a range of soil pH readings. That tolerance extends to the kitchen, where it is a delicious addition to soups and can be fried or stewed.
Choose a variety of okra — or two — suited not only to your climate but also to your kitchen. Pod size and color are important to some cooks. Texture of the okra — with just the right slickness after cooking
Okra is known to grow in poor soils. But it does best in good soils with plenty of organic material that are not too rich. Too much nitrogen results in strong vegetative growth but fewer blooms, which mean fewer seed pods
Plant okra seed in the garden at least three weeks after the last frost when the soil temperature warms to 60 degrees and above. Craig R. Anderson at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture,
Despite its reputation as a plant that will survive dry conditions (see “four-foot roots” above), okra is hardier and produces more pods with adequate watering. An inch of water a week is optimum.
Okra blossoms can start appearing in seven or so weeks when conditions are good. The blossoms are there for only a day — here’s hoping you have a lot of natural pollinators at work — and the pods are visible soon after.