Yuccas, Yucca spp., are succulents that grow in full sun and rocky, dry soil in USDA Hardiness Zones ranging from 3 to 11. We link to vendors to help you f
13.07.2023 - 02:37 / gardenerspath.com / Nan Schiller
Harvesting Okra: When and How to Pluck Those Prickly PodsSo your okra plant is flourishing and has started to bloom. Congrats! But when are the plants ready to harvest and how do you do it?
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We’re here to help! We’ll walk you through the process and give you all of our tips and tricks, and then finish up with some preparation and recipe recommendations.
Pod FormationWhen your chosen varieties approach maturity, pods begin to form. And they often grow quickly, within a few days after flowering.
Check on them daily, and when they reach about three inches in length, they should be at the peak of flavor and tenderness, ready to harvest. Some larger varieties may be able to hang around on the plant a little longer before they get tough.
HarvestingWear gloves and handle the pods as little as possible, to prevent softening before use and skin irritation. Even so-called “spineless” varieties may have some setulose growth, so don’t be surprised if you encounter these fine protrusions on pods, stems, and leaves.
If you find that they’re already woody when you pick at three inches, toss this harvest into a dish that’s going to be cooked low and slow, which may help to soften them a bit. Keep this knowledge in mind for your chosen variety (note it in your gardening journal!) and pick the rest when they’re 2 to 2 1/2 inches long instead.
Each time you pick, you encourage more growth, so harvest regularly.
Because okra roots have a fragile hold on the ground, it’s best to snip rather than snap the stems cleanly above each pod, leaving a bit to grasp.
It may be tempting to leave fruits on the plant to see how large they’ll get, but
Yuccas, Yucca spp., are succulents that grow in full sun and rocky, dry soil in USDA Hardiness Zones ranging from 3 to 11. We link to vendors to help you f
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