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(Best months for planting Okra in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

• Harvest in 80-98 days
• Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C.
• Space plants: 35-60cm

In warm districts okra can be sown in garden beds. Raise seedlings in a similar way to capsicums - warmth is essential. Pick pods within a week of flowers opening - at about 5 - 8 cm long. Pods become tough and inedible if left too long.

Pods have a high gum content so do not appeal to everyone.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Okra

Use pods fresh or dried in soups or casseroles or as a boiled vegetable.

Your comments and tips

10 Dec 09 Cath (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Does anyone know if okra likes particular companions in the garden. I'm in to companion planting.

12 Apr 10 Jack (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Gidday How far south can we grown this stuff?

04 Sep 10 Iwa (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I live in the Manawatu, is now a good time to plant okra?

21 Sep 10 Jen (New Zealand - temperate climate)

In Texas Okra grows incredibly well due to the heat. I've yet to have any success with Okra in the Waikato or Blenheim area. I'm trying again in Wellington this time. I would start mine by making mounds of fertile soil and putting 3 seeds in the mound, spaced equally between them. You would then thin the mound to one or remove and transplant the okra if another mound doesn't grow. Fertilize early and protect from wind. They adore full sun and loads of heat. I can't seem to replicate any of these conditions in NZ. You can serve them breaded and fried (we would use a cornmeal breading) or in gumbo (as the name suggests). Very yum!

01 Feb 11 Lakshman Bandara (New Zealand - temperate climate)

This year I planted Okra in my greenhouse in Wanganui (Whanganui). I put seeds directly in beds in October. They are fruiting now. The temparature in the greenhouse vary between 10 and 45 centigrade. Last year I planted them in the greenhouse but I was late (December) and started fruiting only in March to die soon after due to early frost.

30 Mar 11 Lizzie Ashby (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I'm half an hour north of Auckland, and have had successful plants this year, still producing a few now. Grew straight from seed in the vegie garden, sunny spot and have been lovely, either pan fried with spices, or in curries is how we've eaten them. This is my first time - does the plant just die, and new ones needed next year? If looks so sturdy now, almost shrub like.

06 Jun 11 Shirley (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I'd like to try growing okra in a tunnel house in Christchurch. Any tips? Successful cultivars for cooler temperatures? Thanks.

23 Nov 11 Robin (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Where do you find okra seedlings/ seeds to plant? We're from Texas and my husband loves this stuff, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

23 Nov 11 Liz (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Robin, try some of the online seed merchants (NZ based) or Yates NZ list okra and on their website say contact them if you can't find something in the shops.

14 Dec 11 Russell (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I am a huge fan of okra among others and would like to share the power or miracle of okra. I was diagnosed with high blood sugar GTT or Glucose Tolerance Test was 12 or 15 a few years ago. My GP gave me three months to correct my diet as he was very reluctant to prescribe me with more drugs as I have had quadruple-bypass just over then years ago. I have to drop junk or processed foods like potato chips etc. I tried drinking okra sap first thing in the morning and my blood sugar dropped dramatically. Last week my fasting blood sugar showed it was 5.9 for an old person like me and my GP was pleased. When I forget to drink on the daily basis it goes up to as high as 7.9. Preparation: Slice one or two okras about half cm thick and mix with water at room temperature(no hot or boiling water as it will destroy the enzyme) and leave overnight in the fridge or outside during winter. Drink on empty stomach and repeat during the day if you wish. Throw out okra after it secretes less sap in to the water. This is better than taking medication which makes your pancreas lazy which results in poor quality insulin. The theory behind it is that the sap act as a lining to prevent the absorption of sugar in to the blood stream. I would love to get some seeds to plant them - where can I get them in Auckland?