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How to Harvest Okra The first harvest will be ready about 2 months after planting. Harvest the okra when it’s about 2 to 3 inches long. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife; if the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should be tossed.
How big should okra be before you pick it?
Harvest the pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long. If the okra gets too large, it will be tough and stringy. Pick the okra every 1 to 2 days or yields will decrease (Fig. 3).
How do you know when okra is ripe to pick?
Harvest Okra Harvest okra when the pods are 1 to 4 inches long. Pods should be soft and the seed should be only half-grown. The more you pick okra the more you’ll get. When picked often, okra will keep producing until the first frost. Flowers and pods first appear at the base of the plant and then keep producing upward.
What color should okra be when picked?
Yet for okra you want small pods. The pods should be a very vibrant color, either green or purple depending on the variety you are growing. Pale pods, even if the right size, can be woody. Pods form quickly during the peak of summer and you should look to harvest every 2-3 days.
Why is my okra red?
It remains the most prevalent red variety. Their color comes from anthocyanins – a natural plant pigment. Red okra is sometimes called magenta or purple okra.
How do you pick okra?
Look for smooth, tender, blemish-free, bright green pods. Avoid pods with brown spots or dry end. If you’re cooking it quickly, like in a sauté, use okra that’s under 4 inches long. If you’re stewing it or using it in a gumbo, look for the tougher, larger pods.
What to do with okra that got too big?
Slowly cook your overlarge okra into a gumbo or stew to soften their pod structure. The key here is to cut the okra into bite-size pieces, so the fruit (yes, okra technically is a fruit) is tender.
Why is my okra flowering?
Okra flowers usually bloom for less than a day before dropping off the plant, leaving behind a small green nub that will form into the okra pod and be ready to harvest in just a few days. As long as the pods are developing, the flowers have been pollinated and all is as it should be.
How do you keep okra fresh after picking?
Store your dry, unwashed okra pods in your refrigerator. Loosely wrap them in perforated plastic bags and store them in your refrigerator’s vegetable crisper. Don’t wash them prior to storage, as moisture will promote mold growth and make them slimy. Store them for 2 to 3 days.
Does okra grow back every year?
When planting okra in more temperate climates, this perennial plant becomes an annual and must be replanted each year. Okra seeds can be planted in 1” deep hills that are about 18-24” apart. As they begin to grow, thin out the stragglers so the sturdier ones can thrive.
How long does okra take to mature?
Okra reaches maturity in 50 to 65 days. The plants can produce for ten to 12 weeks. It grows and bears seed pods until frost, which quickly turns them black and kills them. Start harvesting a few days after the okra blooms fade.
How long is okra good after picking?
Storage and food safety Okra will keep for only two or three days. When ridges and tips of pods turn dark, it needs to be used immediately. Once it starts to darken, it will quickly deteriorate. To prevent cross contamination, keep okra away from raw meat and meat juices.
Do you prune okra plants?
Fortunately, okra is a very durable plant that tolerates heavy pruning and pinching to promote shorter, bushier growth. Plan to remove the top of the okra plant at least twice during the growing season.
Can you eat prickly okra?
Okra’s a strange little vegetable, the kind of thing you might not guess was edible if no one told you. Its prickly skin can sting your fingers, and slicing into it reveals little more than seeds and slime.
Can you eat okra raw?
Okra pods can even be eaten raw. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It’s high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. Slice off the stem, cut the pods into 1-inch pieces and give them a quick saute to reduce the green taste.
What does it mean when okra is purple?
He checked a book by Harold McGee and learned that the red and purple colors of most flowers and vegetables are due to a group of about 300 related chemicals known as anthocyanins.
Is red okra better than green?
There are also other red varieties of okra that include ‘Red Velvet’ and the dwarf red okra “Little Lucy.” So back to the question “is red okra edible?” Yes. In fact, there really isn’t much difference between red okra and green okra other than the color.
How tall does red okra grow?
In frost-free areas, okra may be grown as a perennial. Plant Dimensions: 4′ tall, 24″ wide. Can grow taller in longer season areas. Variety Information: Dark red, grooved pods best harvested at 6″ or shorter.
What should Fresh okra look like?
Fresh okra should feel firm but not hard. Look for bright green pods with unblemished skin. A little browning on the stem shouldn’t be a concern, though the greener it is, the fresher the okra.
