Burgundy Red Okra

Burgundy Red Okra is a stunning, vibrant twist on the traditional green variety, featuring deep red pods that add a pop of color and a touch of elegance to your garden. This unique plant boasts tender, crisp pods with a slightly earthy, nutty flavor that is perfect for frying, roasting, or adding to stews and gumbo. Not only does it stand out in the garden, but Burgundy Red Okra also thrives in hot climates, making it a reliable, low-maintenance crop that will bloom attractive cream-colored flowers before producing pods. Plants are highly productive, with Burgundy Red plants yielding abundant harvests of nutrient-packed pods, which are a great source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants, promoting overall health and wellness. The plant's tall, robust growth habit makes it an excellent choice for filling garden beds or growing along fences, creating a striking display while also providing a delicious, homegrown food source. Burgundy Red Okra is an exceptional addition to any garden, offering not only visual appeal and culinary versatility but also a nutritious boost to your diet.

Also Known As: Red Okra, Red Burgundy Okra, Purple Okra, Alabama Red Okra, Roselle Okra, Lady Finger, Gumbo, Bhindi, Ochro, Abelmoschus Esculentus, Okra Pods, Quingombó, Yangchao, Bamia.

Plant Name:	Okra, Burgundy Red
Latin Name:	Abelmoschus esculentus
Days to Germinate:	7-12
Days to Harvest:	55
Plant Height:	3 - 5 Feet
Spread:	2 Feet
Bloom Diameter:	3 - 4 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	5-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Okra is best planted in warm weather since it thrives in temperatures between 75F-90F.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when soil temperatures are at least 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 50F, or 2-3 weeks after all danger of frost has passed. For fall crops, directly sow outdoors or start indoors then transplant at least 3 months before the first expected frost.

To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	3-4 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest okra when pods are about 3 to 4 inches long and still tender, around 50 to 60 days after planting, or 5-6 days after the flowers fade. It's best to pick the pods when they are young and firm, as older pods can become tough and woody. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the pods from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached. Be sure to check your okra plants every couple of days, as the pods grow quickly, and harvesting regularly will encourage the plant to produce more.