![]() ![]() You’ll stick a toothpick or a long bamboo stick into your soil to do the toothpick test. Some people like to use the toothpick test for their plants, which is a reasonable method for your okra. You’ll notice when your okra needs more water or less of it, but if you can’t, there are a few methods you might find handy. Water intake is one of the harder balances of growing okra, likely because they need less attention and maintenance than other veggies, which can sometimes cause neglect. Harvesting the pods sooner rather than later.Around 1 inch (2.54 cm) of water a week.With that being said, we can be doing things to ensure our plants grow to be as big and high-yielding as we want them to be. We all live in different climates, with different soil types, and under different circumstances. ![]() You need to stay attentive and watch for signs of thirst or overwatering. Okra is no different than any other plant in this way. However, okra does well in hot conditions, so you’re much likelier to overwater it than underwater it. Okra that needs more water may look like it’s wilting or rooting. You’re watering okra the right amount if the dirt is slightly moist and remains on a stick once prodded into the soil. How Do I Know if I’m Watering My Okra the Right Amount?įarmers didn’t have the luxury of following their instincts for growing: one wrong move meant no food for the rest of the season! All the best modern gardeners and farmers know the real work is half instinct and half knowledge. Bigger isn’t better in the case of okra (and a lot of other vegetables such as zucchinis), so don’t let those pods grow any bigger than 2 or 3 inches (5 – 7.62 centimeters). Harvesting okra should occur when they’re still smaller pods. It’s just a sign that you’re harvesting a bit too late. Harvesting slimy or woody okra has little do with water intake, sunlight, or pH. If the great water debate for your okra has begun because your okra is slimy or woody: pause here. Like most plants, okra grows best in slightly acidic soil ( between 6.0 and 6.8), but don’t let a great pH be your excuse to skip the nutrients.Īround mid-season, when your okra plant has produced a few yields and might be running low on soil nutrients, add compost or fertilizer to heighten its supply. Nitrogen leads to higher crop yields and makes your okra healthier overall. Look for the signs of a thirsty plant and adjust accordingly. As we’ve mentioned before, they do great in dry weather, but don’t let them encourage any type of neglect. You likely won’t need as much water to keep your okra happy.Īdditionally, be attentive if you live in a subtropical climate or a heatwave is beating down on your okra. Full grown okra plant full#Not all of us have a giant backyard with equal parts of full sun and partial sun many have to work with what we’ve got! Adjust your watering accordingly if you only have space in a partially shady spot in your garden. Water and light work in tandem, so keep this in mind as you set up your watering routines. You should look for a spot in your garden near the top of any hills, so that water from other plants won’t roll down and drown them. Sunny spots make soil and plants drier, but that’s A-OK for your okra. ![]() Okra needs full sun, which means that you should plant them in a sunny spot in your garden. Warm temperatures and the sweltering heat are better for okra than freezing or frigid temperatures (which is why planting is ideal for mid-summer in climates that aren’t always above 70 degrees Fahrenheit ). This way, the leaves and soil can dry back up by evening, and your okra won’t get cold at night. Okra likes to be drier (as we mentioned many times in this article), so you should water your okra in the morning. Watering okra isn’t just about how much you’re watering but when you’re watering. This should tell you how okra grows under its ideal conditions: okra is low-maintenance, loves the sun, and is okay being a little warmer or dryer. Though we grow it plenty here in the US, particularly in the south, the first okra plants were in the Eastern Hemisphere. Most people find that they are guilty of overwatering their okra instead. For this reason, you likely won’t have a problem underwatering your okra. Okras like warm weather and are okay with soil being a little dry. If you end up giving it a little bit more or less, you may need to change your watering schedule. The most important thing about your okra plant is to give it at least an inch (2.54 cm) every week. You should water your okra plant every 7-10 days. Because okras are so low maintenance, many people struggle to water them in the right amounts. ![]() Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly the case with okra, though it is true they are low maintenance. You may have heard about how low-maintenance okras are and thought: “Woohoo! A plant I can ignore!”. ![]()
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