Growing Non-GMO Clemson Spineless Okra Vegetable Seeds
How to Grow Clemson Spineless Okra from Seed
Okra is a full sun crop that does not perform well in cold soils. Seeds can be sown direct after the final frost date but, for earliest starts, begin indoors 3-4 weeks prior. Plant 2-3 seeds 1/2" deep per peat pot or 4-6" apart in the garden in sandy, Organically fertile, and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.8-7.0. Okra germinates in 4-10 days, transplanting or thinning your best starts to 18-24" apart in the garden. Seeds may pre-soak 12-18 hours to accelerate germination, but is not required. Okra thrives from regular watering and fertilizing.
Okra thrives alongside other full sun staples such as melon, cucumber, and eggplant. These plants don't do well in cool temperatures, so be sure to keep them away from frost. During growth, remove weeds so that they don't interfere.
Seeds should be given plenty of room and a warm environment with full sun to thrive and fully mature. Plants do best when seeds are sown directly, but can also do well when seedlings are started indoors and transplanted after around 30 days for areas with shorter growing seasons.
Clemson Spineless Okra in the Vegetable Garden
Okra is a heat-loving summertime favorite synonymous with some of the hottest, most humid regions in the country. Okra is a fruiting crop that produces tender 2-3" edible pods all the way through the warmest months of the year. Related to both hibiscus and hollyhock, okra is also celebrated for its huge, gorgeous flowers that bloom in shades of orange, pink, red, and white.
Clemson Spineless okra grow in the wild of Ethiopia and Egypt, and thrive in warm temperatures such as those in the South of the United States. These plants thrive in heat, and are easy to grow at home. They are very tender, with spineless pods, and sell well at farmers markets as well as commercially. Watch out for over saturated soil during plant growth that can lead to disease, but keep soil moist enough to provide for the plant. Pods can be stored for longer periods of time by blanching or freezing them.
Harvesting Clemson Spineless Okra
Okra is most flavorful when harvested at 2-3" long or about 60 days after sowing. Harvest often to keep up with fruiting while encouraging production. Wear gloves when handling okra plants because the fine hairs are known to cause skin irritation. Using a knife, simply cut okra pods from the plant while leaving some stem attached to the fruit. Garden fresh okra does not store well and should be enjoyed the day it is picked.
Pods are most tender and delicious when picked young, at around 3 inches long. To harvest pods, cut them off the stem of the plant.
About Clemson Spineless Okra Seeds
Developed by Clemson University.
Clemson Spineless 80 has longer pods, a more open form, and LESS prickly spines.
Produces earlier than many okra varieties and can have some real heavy yields.
Pods are tastiest around 3."
Pick your okra daily. Never let the pods grow out past 3" or they will become tough. Even worse the plant will quit producing more yummy okra! Then whatcha going to do when it is time for gumbo!
Cream-colored flowers are also edible and may be stuffed or used as a garnish.
For those of you in the South where I come from you will have no problem growing okra, but if like me you now find yourself in an area with cool summers like the Pacific Northwest growing okra can be a tricky business. Try starting it in a greenhouse and transplanting into the garden about May. At best you'll get a taste of okra for a few weeks on stunted 2' plants depending on your micro climate. To improve your okra plants you need to improve the heat units. To do that try planting next to heat sinks like houses, brick/rock walls or anything that will absorb and radiate heat. Good luck and send me your success stories!
