Abelmoschus esculentus (50-60 days) Tender, flavorful, and high yielding. This 1939 All-America Selections winner is still the most popular variety for soups and stews, relishes, or canned, roasted or boiled. Vigorous plants produce an abundance of uniform, dark green, spineless pods. Cream-colored, edible flowers are an attractive ornamental; good in large containers. Best picked when 2.5 to 3" long.
Growing Notes
For Starts: Sow 4-5 weeks before last frost date 1/4" deep. Keep soil 80-90F for germination. Thin to one plant/cell. Transplant after danger of frost when soil is warm. Space 12-18" apart in rows 3' apart.
Direct Seeding: After frost danger, sow 2" apart, 1/2" deep when soil is >70F. Think to 12-18" apart.
To Harvest: Clip young, tender pods consistently at 3-4" long. Oversized pods become tough and must be removed to keep plant productive.