QUESTION: My okra plants are healthy and growing well. If the okra gets too large, it will be tough and stringy. Pretty enough for the flower garden, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a close relative of the hollyhock. Okra can be stored for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Water the soil carefully to avoid displacing the seeds. Sowing, watering, location, fertilizing and harvest. ANSWER: If you are interested in saving okra seeds from the species growing in your garden, you need to make sure that the plants are isolated and growing well out of distance of any other okra varieties, otherwise your seeds might end up being hybrids. Pick the okra every 1 to 2 days or yields will decrease (Fig. Space the rows 3 to 4 feet apart. – Timothy W . Plant the seeds 1 inch deep every 4 to 6 inches in a row. 3). Saving your own seed means that not only are you saving money, but that you are also growing a variety that has already proven itself in your area. All you have to do is resist the temptation to harvest the pods for my easy no-slime okra recipe , and wait for them to turn brown. Okra growing guide for all gardeners. Soak the okra seeds overnight or for several hours prior to planting to speed up germination. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is grown in warm climates, and the seed pods can be picked shortly after the plant flowers. How to grow okra seeds from sowing to harvest. Okra that is too mature can be dried, cured, and used in flower arrangements. Planting Okra Seeds. Keep the area moist, but not soggy until seedlings emerge in a week or more. Harvest the pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long. Can I save okra seeds for next year? Drying okra seeds is a great way to save money while growing your crop from scratch. Before you get started, make sure that the seeds you are saving come from a plant that has been grown alongside the same variety of okra, or that you have kept your okra plant isolated from other varieties.