DIY Network

Great Growing Conditions Great Growing Conditions From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-105

Want to ensure your watermelons and okra thrive throughout the growing season? Then just follow these easy guidelines:

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	You can germinate hard okra seeds faster if you soak them in warm water overnight before planting. You can also wrap them in moist paper toweling to accelerate germination.
	Fertilize with a 5-10-10 formula -- 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium.
	Okra's large leaves shade the soil and discourage weeds so much that mulching is not really necessary.
	When the okra seedlings are about 2" tall, it's time to thin them out to 12" apart.

• Because watermelons and okra are companion plants, you will be able to start your planting of okra adjacent to the melon patch. Both melons and okra thrive in moist, well-drained soil and they even require the same soil preparation and fertility of 6 to 6.8 pH. Okra can be planted with any other garden plants but they make great companion plants for melons, southern peas, basil, eggplant and peppers.

• Okra can be grown in most gardens throughout the country In warm climates, you can direct-sow okra a seed in early summer or after the danger of frost has passed. In cooler climates, it is best to start the seeds indoors in peat pots in late spring. Be sure to keep the containers warm to speed up germination. As with the melon seedlings, you'll need to thin the plants after sprouts appear. Be sure to handle the brittle seedling as gently as possible and do not disturb their roots.

• Okra is easy to grow but the seeds have a hard coat and can be difficult to germinate. You can germinate faster if you soak them in water overnight before planting. We soaked the okra seeds in warm water. You can also wrap the seeds in moist paper toweling to accelerate germination.

• Okra likes full sun, and well-drained, dry, slightly alkaline soil. You should plant okra where it will receive full sun at least 8 to 10 hours a day. Okra grows best in organic soil but tolerates poor sandy soil and red clay.

• Before planting be sure to work fertilizer into the soil. Fertilize with a 5-10-10 formula. -- that is, 5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium. After turning the soil using a garden fork, to mix in the fertilizer, use a garden hoe to make two rows in a raised bed 1" inch deep and 24" inches apart. Next, drop the presoaked seeds into the furrows spacing the seeds 6" inches apart. Then rake the soil over the seeds until they are covered. After firming the soil, mist the area with water from a garden hose set on fine spray.

• Okra's large leaves shade the soil and discourage weeds so much that mulching is not really necessary, but you can use mulch to help retain moisture. You can remove the few weeds that may come up by hoeing or pulling.

• Okra needs little care to produce a good crop. You need to give them at least 1 inch of water per week. Be careful not to over water because the okra plants will then produce more foliage than pods. The critical period for moisture is during the pod set and pod development.

• The garden should be watered in the morning so that the all foliage is dry by dark. With the okra seedlings are about 2 inches tall, it's time to thin them out to 12 inches apart. Thinning with scissors allows plants room to grow and prevents them from having to compete for moisture and nutrients.
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Something in Common
  	Great Growing Conditions
  	Disease, Insects and Animals
  	Harvesting Seeds