Clemson Spineless #80 Okra

OKRA for fresh market, processing or freezing

6 - 8 lbs./3 - 4 kg. per acre; oz./28 g contains about 500 seeds

CULTURE: Okra is not usually grown as a major crop in the North, but is popular in the South. However, if you can grow good Sweet corn, you can grow good okra. Where seasons are really short, sow seed inside in 2 1/4 in./6 cm peat pots May 1st. at 3 seeds per pot, 1/2 in./13 mm deep. Soak seed for 24 hours before sowing, to speed up germination. Set plants outdoors June 10th or later, after soil temps. are 60 - 65°F/16 - 18°C. Space plants in rows 3 ft./91 cm. apart.

SOW OUTDOORS: Soak seed for 24 hours before sowing. Sow June 10th. at 1 seed per in./25 mm.; 1/2 in./l 3 mm. deep. Thin seedlings to 12 in./31 cm. apart. Okra like fairly rich soil, work in about 10 lbs./5 kg. of 5-10-5 per 1000 sq. ft./93 sq. m. before seeding. Side dress with additional fertilizer, at least once during the growing season. Water regularly during hot weather.

INSECTS: Watch out for the same earworm that bothers sweet corn. Control organically or with Sevin XLR dust before pods form. Control aphids with malathion or lady bugs before pods form.

HARVEST: Young pods are ready to pick 50 - 60 days from seeding, and should be harvested regularly every 2 or 3 days - about 4 to 6 days after the flower opens. Over-ripe pods, left on the plants are tough and stringy. Unpicked pods will shorten the picking season and sap the plant's strength.

FREEZING: Wash pods well and cut stems off. Blanch for 2 min.; cool quickly, drain, pack and quick freeze.