Pruning Okra

Q: In last year’s garden the okra did well but grew way too tall. Can it be pruned to keep it lower and still produce well?

A: You sure can! As common okra varieties age, the top of the plant becomes too tall and doesn’t produce as many pods. When they are too tall to harvest, cut your plants down to a height between 12” and 24”. Make the cut above two strongly growing leaves. In a week or two you’ll see one or two strongly growing sprouts coming from the stump. The new branch or branches will have almost as many tasty pods as the plant yielded in early summer.

Rejuvenating okra

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