Okra

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - 53 days. [Burmese heirloom, seedstock courtesy Hap Heilman.  Bears when plants are 18 in. tall and continues to bear until frost. Huge leaves, typically 16 in. across. 9-12 in. slender pods are curved and virtually spineless. Pods mature from light green to creamy yellow-green. At 10 in. long they are tender, sweet, and spineless enough to be eaten raw or added to salads. Pods are less gooey than other okra. Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 4 feet tall Pods are deep burgundy Pods grow to 9-12 inches long 50 days 4g, 80- 100 Seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange 50 days. Spineless variety from India averages 5½ ft. tall. Pods up to 8 in. long, pods remain tender for a long period. The Kerr Center named it the easiest variety to harvest (thanks to unbranched plants) in their trial of 30 heirloom varieties. Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 4 feet tall Pods are deep burgundy Pods grow to 6 inches long 50 days 4g, 80- 100 Seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Old Fashioned Okra) Tall 7' plants have purple coloration on leaves and thick pods that are best picked at about 3" long. Cross-sections of pods look like the Star of David, giving this variety its name. Like many okra varieties, this plant bears beautiful flowers and foliage that could warrant a place in the ornamental border. 60-75 days.  Characteristics:  Plants grow to 7 feet tall Plants have purple coloration on leaves Best harvested when pods are 3 inches long 60-75 days 100 Seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but does not tolerate cold well. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Burgundy) Bred by Leon Robbins at Clemson University after eight years of careful selection. Introduced in 1983; All America Selections winner in 1988. Stunning 4' plant with burgundy accents and tender burgundy pods up to 6" long. Good yields. 55-60 days. ±500 seeds/oz. Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 4 feet tall Pods are deep burgundy Pods grow to 6 inches long 55-60 days 100 Seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields. Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - An All America Selections winner in 1939, was introduced by Clemson University. Still the most popular open-pollinated variety on the market. Vigorous plants grow 3-5' tall. Exceptionally uniform, deep green ribbed and spineless pods are best harvested when 3" long. Excellent quality. 50-64 days. ±500 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 3-5 feet tall Pods are spineless Best harvested when pods are 3 inches long 50-64 days ±500 seeds/oz 100 Seeds per packet  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States but does not tolerate cold well Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.  Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - One of the unique varieties in SSE’s okra collection. Ivory-green pods grow to 7" long on vigorous 6' tall plants. Tender when young, delicious flavor. Great producer at Heritage Farm. 80 days. ±480 seeds/oz.  Characteristics:  Plants grow to 6 feet tall Ivory pods grow to 7 inches long Best harvested when pods are young 80days ±480 seeds/oz 100 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors when the soil has warmed. Tolerant of heat and drought, but not of cold. Keep well picked for higher yields.  Direct Seed 2" apart Plant 1/2" deep Thin 6-8" apart Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability