Okra is a Southern favorite, a wonderful edible and ornamental plant

Growing and Harvesting Okra by Jeff Bernhard: Is there a better plant to grow in the super hot summer months in Texas than Okra? Probably not. The Okra plant loves the hot weather and rewards gardeners with bumper crops if they are cared for appropriately. In this episode we will give you tips on how to grow Okra and harvest Okra. Okra is also becoming especially popular with in the culinary arts with chefs finding new uses for this vegetable in their entrees. Give Okra a try!

"Okra is a controversial vegetable to some. It is as much a part of Southern cuisine as collard greens and fried chicken. But in the Southern kitchen, it is far more controversial. Folks love okra or they hate it. No one - veritably no one - is in the middle. Okra is the new asparagus. Okra can take the heat and is the perfect Garden Finger Food.

Okra lovers passionately love okra in all manners of all shapes and forms. Boiled, fried, steamed, grilled, broiled, pickled, whole, sliced and julienned.

Most okra doesn’t taste good when it’s long; it becomes tough and woody. In general, look for young, small pods no longer than 4 inches, depending on the variety. There is a reason okra is called ladyfingers in some countries. Seek out pods smaller than a lady’s finger!" -- Summer foods: Okra – Eatocracy - CNN.com Blogs http://bit.ly/19ujmF0

Okra is a Southern favorite. The pods can be grilled, fried or eaten in gumbo.

"Fife Creek" okra is an heirloom strain that bears pods that can be 5-6 inches long and still tender. This KY heirloom was given to the Fife family by an elderly Creek woman over 100 years ago. It is available as Pkt Item # 69114 from Southern Exposure: http://www.southernexposure.com/fife-creek-cowhorn-okra-4-g-p-341.html

Okra has beautiful flowers and edible leaves. The red variety is very ornamental. Okra is related to edible hibiscus.



How to grow okra:



Related:

Okra in Raised Beds - YouTube http://bit.ly/15d0DVT
Okra Flowers in Bloom - YouTube http://bit.ly/17M78nK
Okra can take the heat and is the perfect Garden Finger Food http://buff.ly/1xk1bKp