Okra

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - 57 days. Grown by the Bowling family of Virginia since the 1920s. Early, productive, and beautiful - one of the best okras in the Kerr Center’s trial of 30 heirloom varieties. Long, slim, tender red pods. 7-8 ft. plants have red stems and red-veined leaves. Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 7-8 feet tall Pods are red Pods grow to 9-12 inches long 47 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 - 53 days. 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

The Seed Savers Exchange - This variety has delighted the Cajun Country since the 1950s! Splineless, compact plants reach 3–4' tall and yield an abundance of relatively early 6"-8"-long pods with great flavor. Introduced by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in 1989, this versatile gem thrives in hot climates but also adapts well to cooler ones. Its beautiful blooms are a bonus. Characteristics:  Organic Plants grow to 3-4 feet tall Pods are spineless and grow 6-8" long 60-65 days 50 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

Very productive variety with early, bright green pods. High Mowing Organic Seeds - This new and improved version of the tried and true Clemson Spineless variety offers up pain free picking and earlier production. The plants yield more than the previous incarnation and plants have a taller, more open habit. Harvest young for peak tenderness. Organic Productive 3-4" pods 30 seeds   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

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

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 - Said to originally be from the Hill Country of southern Texas. Beautiful 6' tall red-stemmed plants produce wide green pods tinged with red. Full of the good okra flavor popular in the hill regions of the south. Excellent pickling variety. Characteristics:  Plants grow to 6' feet tall Pickling variety 60-70 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 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

Sea Island Red Okra - Discover the vibrant, heirloom charm of Sea Island Red Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), a stunning variety prized by gardeners for its eye-catching red pods and rich flavor. Perfect for Southern gardens, gourmet cooking, and adding color to your harvest! 🌶️🥬 Summary Pod Characteristics: Slender, 3-4" inch pods are best for harvesting, they start deep red and turn tender green when cooked—mild, less mucilaginous than green varieties. Plant Habits: Tall, vigorous plants (4-6 ft) produce abundantly in hot weather; spineless pods for easy picking. Harvest & Yield: Ready in 50-60 days; continuous harvest through summer encourages more production. Uses: Fresh in salads, pickled, stir-fries, gumbos, or fried—adds unique color and nutty taste. Why Grow It?: Heat-tolerant heirloom that's disease-resistant and visually striking; great for containers or beds. Origin and Historical Details Sea Island Red Okra traces its roots to the Sea Islands off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina, USA. This heirloom variety emerged in the 19th century among Gullah-Geechee communities—descendants of West African enslaved people who preserved African gardening traditions. Historical Notes: Named after the barrier islands' red sandy soils and isolation, which fostered unique seed-saving. Documented in seed catalogs by the early 1800s; popularized by Southern farmers for its productivity in humid, hot climates. Preserved through oral traditions and community exchanges; now celebrated in Slow Food USA's Ark of Taste ❤️for cultural heritage. Believed introduced via African seeds during the transatlantic slave trade, blending with local adaptations. A true piece of Southern Americana, it's making a comeback in modern heirloom gardens. Earliest Confirmed Listing: David Landreth Seed Company Catalog, 1886. Listed as "Sea Island Red Podded Okra". Description: Noted for its red pods, productivity in Southern climates, and origins tied to the Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina How to Grow Sea Island Red Okra Thrives in warm-season conditions (soil temps >70°F/21°C). Follow these steps for success: Starting Seeds: Sow directly outdoors after last frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier in peat pots (okra dislikes transplanting). Plant 1 inch deep, 12-18 inches apart in rows 3 ft apart. Site & Soil: Full sun (8+ hours daily). Well-drained, fertile soil (pH 6.0-6.8); amend with compost. Heat-loving: Ideal for USDA zones 7-11; use black plastic mulch for northern gardeners. Care Tips: Water deeply (1 inch/week), especially during flowering; avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues. Fertilize lightly with balanced (10-10-10) at planting; side-dress with nitrogen mid-season. Stake tall plants if windy; pinch tops at 3-4 ft for bushier growth. Pests & Harvest: Watch for aphids/okra worms—use neem oil or hand-pick. Harvest young pods every 2-3 days (wear gloves for potential irritation); cut with shears. Quick Growing Stats Details Days to Maturity 50-60 Plant Height 4-6 ft Spacing 12-18" apart Water Needs Moderate, consistent Companion Plants Peppers, eggplant, basil Yields up to 5-10 pods/plant weekly in peak season. Save seeds from mature pods for next year! Happy gardening—your harvest will be a red-hot success! 🌱

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

This beloved one is a week out from arriving - it has by far been a fan favorite thus year. We have plenty more coming but it’s going to be slightly delayed. 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