Dressed for the Occasion

Our Okra is in full production. This picture was only a few days ago, and it's probably a foot taller now. Okra loves our southern environment, which is to say it likes hot, humid weather. In this hot, humid weather, there is not much that would get me to wear a long-sleeved shirt, but okra makes me do just that. Despite the temperature, the extra coverage is necessary to keep from having itchy arms for the rest of the day. Keeping the lower portion of the plant trimmed of excess foliage helps minimize leaf contact, which minimizes skin irritation. Keeping the lower foliage trimmed also helps air flow through the top of the plant where the new blooms are forming and gives insects more opportunity to pollinate. Even though the base of the plants in the picture looks bare, they were actually in need of trimming at the time of this photo. I trimmed them the following day. The rule of thumb is that any leaves below the okra pods that are being harvested can and should be removed. Because Okra loves our environment so much, it is a pleasure to grow (even if it is not quite as much of a pleasure to pick). It is enjoyed in many ways: Fried, Roasted, Boiled, Pickled, in Soups, and I recently even saw someone dehydrating it into a crunchy snack. However you prepare it, right now is peak season, so load up and enjoy.