Is there a rule of thumb for when to harvest okra pods? (tree, vegetable)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by happehart

Great tip, thank you I think I will skip planting okra next year since I don't have the space for it. I just wanted to see how it will look and what it will do.

nor do I. We have about 6 plants, that is giving us plenty (its only hubby and me.)

By the way, We did have the Okra for dinner last night with fresh tomatoes, jalapenos and onions. Boy was it good (I used a couple of bacon slices as well) And yes, the big ones were awful. One I used wasn't even edible. But the rest were great. I am going to watch them carefully and keep them picked.

Nita

[harry chickpea]

One other tip on okra and some other veggies like asparagus, before I forget. If you don't want them cooked whole, you can often sort out the bad ones by using a fairly large really sharp kitchen knife.

Take a small pod that is pretty sure to be tender. Lightly hold the knife to see how much pressure it takes to cut a coin shaped section from the pod. Once you have that firmly in mind, start cutting the larger pods, starting at the tip. If you don't use significantly more pressure, it becomes pretty obvious which pods are woody. Sometimes you can use the tips, even from pods that are otherwise woody. (This tip works even better on asparagus, where the tips are almost always good, and the bases progressively more woody.)

Tough pods are still fine for making a gumbo. Cook 'em, use a slotted spoon to remove the pod husks, and just use the thick cooking liquid. Okra and tomato love each other.

[khinmaw]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

I'm all ears...

Okra grows fast. Pick them before they gets very firm. For pods keep the okra grow on the plant until skin begins to split. then pick them store in cool dry place.

[dynimagelv]

when her show is over.


OH you said OKRA

[Mrs. Skeffington]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Four inches. They grow almost overnight and can get woody fast.

And if this is your first time fiddling with okra, you want to wear a hat, long sleeve shirt, and gloves. You won't notice it too much as you pick, but the leaves and pods can make you miserable for a day if they get on your skin. After the first picking, it is somewhat common for experienced gardeners to cut off all the leaves. By that time, the plant has plenty of energy stored to make more pods, and stopping the feeding of leaves not only makes picking more pleasant, but pushes the plant to put its energy into pod-making. If you don't believe me, just try it on a few plants.

Four stars to the above! I worked at a neighbor's farm last summer, and was in charge of the okra. I picked it in the 90 plus degree heat. I wore a hat, gloves, cotton pajama bottoms over my shorts (because they were lightweight), and one of DH's long sleeved cotton shirts over my t shirt. Okra rash is horrible - it itches, you scratch, then it burns like fire. The farm was short staffed, they didn't have anyone pick the okra but me, and I only worked three days a week. Friday to Monday (the days I was off), that okra grew, and I spent most of my time sawing off too-large useless pods and got very little sellable.

This year, I have a patch of my own. It is popular in Indian cuisine, and is a good seller.

[RAKKUNNUI]

Plant okra in with other veggies. That way they don't take up any room. One or two here and one or two there and so on. Pick when 3 to 4 inches long for fresh eating. For cooking maybe as long as 6 inches. Never longer. Pick every other day.

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by RAKKUNNUI

Plant okra in with other veggies. That way they don't take up any room. One or two here and one or two there and so on. Pick when 3 to 4 inches long for fresh eating. For cooking maybe as long as 6 inches. Never longer. Pick every other day.

I plant it in my flower beds as I don't really have room for anything else. I love the plants and the flowers and of course, I love okra. Some years works better than others. I ALWAYS plant the Clemson Spineless and don't suffer from the rash. That is correct that you can almost see it growing.....amazing. Also, I could happily die, face down, in a bowl of fresh tomatoes, okra, onions, with a little bacon grease for seasoning.....aaahhhhh.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by RAKKUNNUI

Plant okra in with other veggies. That way they don't take up any room. One or two here and one or two there and so on. Pick when 3 to 4 inches long for fresh eating. For cooking maybe as long as 6 inches. Never longer. Pick every other day.

I didn't pick today, between Sunday coffee, church, Sam's shopping whatever I just didn't get out to the garden: I can pretty much imagine what tomorrow will look like.

Nita

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Four inches. They grow almost overnight and can get woody fast.

And if this is your first time fiddling with okra, you want to wear a hat, long sleeve shirt, and gloves. You won't notice it too much as you pick, but the leaves and pods can make you miserable for a day if they get on your skin. After the first picking, it is somewhat common for experienced gardeners to cut off all the leaves. By that time, the plant has plenty of energy stored to make more pods, and stopping the feeding of leaves not only makes picking more pleasant, but pushes the plant to put its energy into pod-making. If you don't believe me, just try it on a few plants.

As an update: I clipped the leaves on two of my plants and removed all of the leaves except for the upper set on three others.

All of these plants have tripled their pod production.

Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good tip Harry...

[harry chickpea]

I thank you sir. You and I have been posting long enough for you to know I call 'em as I see 'em. Glad it could help you.