Hill Country Okra
abelmoschus esculentus

days to maturity: 50 days
plant spacing: 2 plants per square foot
sunlight requirement: 8 - 14 hours
look out for: mealy bugs and russet mites
harvest notes: harvest daily when thumb-sized
season: fall, winter, spring, summer

Okra is an indispensable ingredient in many soups, gumbos, and stew recipes. The immature pods contribute unique flavor and consistency to ethnic dishes like Cajun gumbo. Okra is a tender annual that grows best in hot weather and can even thrive in our hot, humid and rainy sum- mers. The pods should be picked when tender and immature, about 2-3 inches long, usually about 4-6 days after flowering. Keep pods removed to encourage flowering. These plants can reach 8 feet tall! A member of the hibiscus family, Okra has similar pest issues and a beautiful edible flower. Hill Country Red Okra is said to have originated in the eastern portion of the mostly limestone Edwards Plateau in west-central Tex- as—also known as Texas Hill Country and its prized for its flavor.