Okra Companion Plants - Learn About Companion Planting With Okra

Because of okra's height, some of the best companion plants for okra include lettuce. The tall plant shades the greens from the hot sun. Another plant that can benefit from the shade of your okra is melons (which also have the added benefit of attracting pollinators to your plants).

What should not be planted next to okra?

Okra should not be planted in soil previously utilized to grow vine crops such as sweet potatoes and squash as these crops tend to increase nematode population in soil. Nematodes feast on young okra roots, causing wilt and galls on the roots, which diminishes fruit yield.

Can okra be planted close together?

When you plant okra for growing sprouts, you can plant it closer together. If you plant your okra to harvest the pods, though, you need to plant it farther apart. The plants grow between 6 to 8 feet tall, so they need plenty room to get sunlight, develop their roots, and absorb enough water.

Which vegetables grow well together chart?

Companion Planting Chart

Type of Vegetable	Friends
Cabbage	Beets, celery, chard, lettuce, spinach, onions
Carrots	Beans, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes
Corn	Climbing beans, cucumber, marjoram, peas, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, zucchini
Onions	Cabbage, carrots, chard, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes

How far apart should Okra be planted?

Plant okra seeds about 2 inches apart and 1 inch deep. When the okra is up and growing, thin out the plants to about 1 foot apart (Fig.

What can I plant next to okra?

Because of okra's height, some of the best companion plants for okra include lettuce. The tall plant shades the greens from the hot sun. Another plant that can benefit from the shade of your okra is melons (which also have the added benefit of attracting pollinators to your plants).

What is the best fertilizer for okra?

Mix a complete fertilizer with the potting mixture, such as 10-10-10, or a high-nitrogen and high-phosphorous fertilizer, such as 20-20-10. Supplemental nitrogen prepares the okra plant for the long growing season, but too much nitrogen leads too excess foliage and lackluster pods.

Are coffee grounds good for okra plants?

Coffee grounds are a suitable organic amendment for growing okra when used directly on the soil or in composted materials. Coffee ground help improve soil structure, or tilth, and augment soil nutrient density when used in combination with other organic amendments.

How deep do okra roots grow?

Okra has a strong taproot which penetrates almost vertically downward. The taproot was about 5 millimeters in diameter and reached a depth of 16 inches. A total of 24 to 35 laterals, the largest 1.5 millimeters thick, ran horizontally from just beneath the soil surface to a depth of 8 inches.

How do you make okra produce more?

Using organic fertilizer will help boost pod production. Adding compost around the base of the plant mid-season will give it a boost so it keeps producing. Especially mid-way through the season, when the okra plants are 18″ – 24″ tall, they will benefit from nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer.

What vegetables should not be planted next to each other?

Other commonly believed plant incompatibilities include the following plants to avoid near one another:

Mint and onions where asparagus is growing.
Pole beans and mustard near beets.
Anise and dill neighboring carrots.
Cucumber, pumpkin, radish, sunflower, squash or tomatoes close to potato hills.

What should not be planted with tomatoes?

Plants that should not share space with tomatoes include the Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage. Corn is another no-no, and tends to attract tomato fruit worm and/or corn ear worm. Kohlrabi thwarts the growth of tomatoes and planting tomatoes and potatoes increases the chance of potato blight disease.

What can you not plant with lettuce?

Try to avoid growing lettuce next to broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or kohlrabi—while some varieties of lettuce may help these cabbage-family (brassicas) crops to grow, these plants have particular root secretions that can prevent lettuce seeds from germinating.

What are the side effects of eating okra?

Risks and precautions

Eating too much okra can adversely affect some people. Gastrointestinal problems: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate. Fructans can cause diarrhea, gas, cramping, and bloating in people with existing bowel problems. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.

Does okra grow back every year?

Okra is a flowering plant that is grown as an annual in most regions, though the species (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a perennial plant in the dry tropical regions where it is native.

Does okra need full sun?

Okra will grow in many soil types, so mulch and fertilize as needed. Once the plants start to grow, thin them so they are spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. Okra thrives in the full, hot sun. Regular watering is needed and is particularly critical during flowering and pod development.

How do you cook okra from the garden?

How to Cook Okra on the Stovetop

Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil.
Cover the pan and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender.
Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

How do you care for an okra plant?

Growing. When okra is 4 inches tall, mulch to keep out weeds and conserve moisture. Water during dry spells and side-dress with compost every three to four weeks. In areas with long, hot summers, cut the plants back almost to ground level in midsummer and fertilize to produce a second crop.

Should okra plants be pruned?

A: Yes, you can prune okra but you have to do it right. As you know, an okra plant can grow above your head, making it hard to reach the pods. ... Four weeks after clipping you should see new flowers and you'll be able to harvest okra at a convenient height until frost.

Is Miracle Grow good for okra?

The main thing you can do to help is to keep the bed weed free and mulched as much as possible. A liquid feed of Miracle Gro when about 20 cm (8 inches) tall, followed by a repeat 2 weeks later will see the plants of to a good start.

Do okra plants need a lot of water?

Avoid Over-Watering Okra

Over watering okra can cause root rot and disfigured plants. Okra does best with about 1/2-inch of water per week, depending on rain fall amounts in your local area.

How often should I water my okra plants?

Keep the plants well watered throughout the summer months; 1 inch of water per week is ideal, but use more if you are in a hot, arid region. After the first harvest, remove the lower leaves to help speed up production.