You either love it or hate it! I for one, love eating okra. Growing up on a Midwestern farm I never tasted okra until I was probably 25 years old. I was traveling for work and was in Memphis, TN when I first encountered this great tasting vegetable. Then, as my food explorations found their way to Cajun stews and gumbos and finding okra as a staple in those dishes, it pretty much cemented my taste for okra.

I have never tried growing the vegetable even though I have read you can grow it anywhere you can grow corn. My southern friends tell me that the okra pods need to be picked every few days as it is best when young and tender. The plants are not hard to care for and if you mulch heavily you only need to add 1 - 1.5 inches of water a week. The temperature needs to be at least 75 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit to set seed.

I wish I had room in my garden to grow okra; until I find some room, I will have to continue purchasing this yummy treat.