A bounty of okra... what now?

I was told that I couldn't grow okra this far north. It wasn't anyone from GardenStew. But my husband loves okra so I thought I'd give it a try. Okra LOVES our hot, dry climate. I'm picking a big bowl full every two or three days. It got to the point where my hubby was taking it to work and giving it away.

I'd like to save some. Can okra be frozen? Do I need to do anything to prepare it first?

It may seem like a simple question, but I grew up with a Dad and big sister who did everything by the box. If it said "frozen dinner" on it, then you knew it could be frozen. So this is all a new experience for me.

I guess you could call the members of GardenStew my country aunts and uncles I never had to teach me. :-D

 

Thanks, Toni! That link was a big help.

 

We freeze okra by itself, and also with tomatoes and onions for a vegetable "stew".
Good for you, trying something you were told "won't grow here". If we don't try, it definitely won't grow!

 

So glad to hear your Okra did well. I don't like it much when people try to tell me what I can't grow here and I love to prove them wrong.

 

When I bought the okra seeds at the garden center, one of the summer-hire gardeners told me that okra didn't grow in Wyoming and he didn't understand why they even stocked the seeds. I wanted to try anyhow. The first month I thought he might be right. They took forever to germinate and pop through the ground and then didn't get very big very fast... at least not like everything else.

And then the hot, dry weather came. It took two months, but they really REALLY grew. I bet I've picked two gallons worth out of a patch that only measures 3 feet by 4 feet. And they're still coming.

The only thing I don't like about them is that the plants themselves are prickly and leave me scratching for a half an hour after I pick them. I've learned to go out in the early morning with a light jacket on to protect my arms.

And now I know I can put them up for a little while, at least. Thanks everyone!

 

Good for you trying despite the belief it couldn't be grown,..its like growing Palm Trees in Ireland,..but they do grow and thrive,..enjoy your Okra and congrats on your gardening ability.

 

There is a variety of okra called Clemson Spineless which isn't nearly as "itchy".
I put a generous coatiing of hand lotion on my arms before picking, and that helps. Long sleeves, nitrile gloves, or hiring someone also is effective!

 

Well done Miss Liberty, I am one of those that like to plant veggies that others would say that they won't grow here in my area. I had some success and lots of failure. Like Marlingardener said, "If we don't try, it definitely won't grow!"

 

I grew Clemson Spineless this year. there is no itchiness when I pick it. I do think that whatever you grew yields better. I pick mine once, maybe twice a week and (I put out 24 plants, 20 survived the flood) and I pick about 2 quarts at a time for a customer. No 2 gallon quantities from this. If my camera wasn't in Africa on vacation with my friend, I would post you what it looks like. I still will when it comes back if you want to see what it looks like. just let me know.

 

You are right! When all else dies,,okra will thrive. I pick it from mid summer to the first freeze here in Texas. And yes I freeze it every year. Easy way for "no slime" okra is wipe it with a damp paper towel and freeze it whole with the stem end intact. Then just let thaw a few minutes, cut,roll in cornmeal and fry or cook as you wish. I use it in many dishes and that is what I do every year. it will stay good in the freezer till you eat it all if done this way.

 

Congrats on the okra Libby! Nothing beats the taste of homegrown veggies.

 

Thanks all! I'll try the Clemson Spineless next year. The okra was one of my best crops this year (except for my zucchini, and I don't think you can mess that one up).

I've started freezing what I've been picking so we'll have some this winter.

 

Well done! I would love to see some pics of both types of okra if possible. I've tried to grow it here in Australia, but no joy. Still, I'll be
Trying again this year!

 

Liberty, I had such a crop failure for my zucchini!!!I have always heard that ANYONE can grow it.....for the past several years my success has been next to zilch. So congratulations on all of your gardening success's and failures. Even the crops that failed taught you something and that is that it didn't work this way for you. So I'll try again next year for success at my failure and you will try again at what didn't work for you. Good luck.