Good and Bad Okra Companion Plants

If you’ve already planted okra or are thinking about it, deciding what to grow beside it is very important.

You must choose companion plants for okra that not only complement and support it but also help it to thrive.

Figure out which plants may be beneficial and which might be bad for your okra crop.

To help you make the best decision for your garden-growing needs, let’s examine some of the best and worst okra companion plants.

Good Companion Plants for Okra

As mentioned, certain plants will benefit from okra, while some will not.

Let’s start by looking at the good neighbors, as these are the plants you’ll want to consider planting near okra.

• Peppers
• Calendula
• Chives
• Zinnias
• Dill
• Cucumbers
• Basil
• Radishes
• Chervil
• Garlic
• Onions
• Peas
• Brussels sprouts
• Cosmos
• Spinach
• Corn
• Melons
• Lettuce
• Sunflowers
• Cilantro
• Tomatoes
• Nasturtiums
• Eggplant
• Marigolds
• Beans

By planting some of these good companions around your okra patch, you’ll likely have a healthier crop this year.

What NOT to Plant with Okra

It’s not just about finding the right plants to help your okra grow; you also want to avoid planting certain plants next to it.

Bad companions near your okra can make it prone to disease, pests, and other issues.

Here are some of the plants to avoid growing with okra:

• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Strawberries
• Fennel

Other than these, okra does not have many bad neighbors.

How to Grow Okra

It’s easy to plant and maintain okra in an outdoor garden or even in containers, as long as you follow some basic requirements.

When planting okra:

1. Choose a location with full sun exposure—at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
2. Make sure the soil is fertile and well-draining. It prefers sandy soil.
3. Plant seeds outside in the ground or start them indoors about four weeks before the last frost in spring.
4. Space out okra plants appropriately (60 x 60 cm) for optimal growth [1].
5. Weed regularly when plants are young, and mulch heavily when plants are mature.
6. Water deeply but infrequently.
7. Harvest pods regularly; if you wait too long, they may become tough to eat.
8. Don’t forget to fertilize your soil.

Fertilizer Requirements

To ensure your okra plant grows strong and healthy, it is essential to provide it with all the nutrients it needs.

Okra is not a heavy feeder, but it will benefit from adding a balanced NPK fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. So, you’ll also want to make sure you’re providing fertilizer that has phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium [2].

Think about using compost or aged manure around your okra plants. It will give them extra nutrients and keep the soil moist.

Garden Pests

Another thing to keep in mind is garden pests that can affect okra. These pests can not only cause damage to the plants but also reduce yields, so it’s essential to be aware of them.

Aphids, stink bugs, and whiteflies are some common garden pests that might affect okra. Do what you can to prevent, eliminate, or keep plant pests under control organically.

Plant Diseases

One common problem that can arise when growing okra is plant disease. Diseases like Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, and root-knot nematodes can create an environment that is not good for your crop.

It’s easy to spot these plant diseases. Look out for the yellowing of the leaves as well as the wilting of the foliage.

In some cases, you may even be able to see white spots on the backside of your okra leaves. If you spot any of these symptoms, take action quickly.

How to Harvest

Harvesting okra is relatively easy, but you’ll want to know a few tips before you start. Here’s how to do it:

First, pick the okra when the pods are about two days old. At this point, they will be soft and gooey when cooked.

To pick an okra pod, hold it gently and cut the stem off with a sharp knife.

Also, go out every day and look at your plant, picking the ready pods you see. The more you do this, the more fruit will emerge day by day.

Store your harvested okra well to maintain freshness, or eat it within a few days of picking.

How to Store Okra

If you want to make sure your harvested crop stays fresh for longer, it’s best to store okra in the vegetable crisper in the refrigerator. However, put it in a perforated plastic bag before placing it inside the fridge.

Okra also freezes well if appropriately stored; just be sure to blanch it before freezing so it stays fresh longer.

If you don’t want to refrigerate your okra, make sure to use it within two or three days for the best results.

Where to Buy Seeds

So, now that you know all that you know, it’s time to purchase some seeds. Fortunately, there are plenty of online stores that sell good-quality seeds.

Most garden shops may also have some high-quality organic seed options in stock. And if not, they may be willing to order them especially for you if you don’t want to purchase them online.

If you want to save a bit of cash, try saving your seeds after each harvest.

Takeaway

Carefully choose the companions you want near your okra plants for an ideal garden.

By carefully selecting the best companion plants and avoiding the bad ones, you can get the most out of your okra (lady’s finger) in the garden.