Hey y'all. I have never planted okra seeds before and do not have a place here on the property to till a garden, therefore would like to plant some seeds in five gallon buckets. I have ALOT of seeds in the freezer from last fall. I have about 15 buckets (all 5-gallons). I live in South Carolina and I think the cold is gone. It is 5PM right now and 80 degrees. I was told to wait until it is hot to plant my okra.
Can anyone tell me:
1) Do I need to soak the seeds?
2) How deep and how many per bucket
3) Should I use my soil I have from the yard and ammend it?
4) Should I fertilize it with goat manure? (I have a whole truckload of dried goat manure. I have a trashcan half full brewing with water to make a tea - like water to fertilize with. Any thoughts on this?)
Uh oh! You really didn't store the seeds in the freezer, right? I'd say to put 10 seeds in a moist paper towel and put in a baggie in a warm place. Maybe on top of the refrig. This site explains how to test them for germination. http://host244.ipowerweb.com/~emmitsbu/gardens/articles/adams/2005/seeds.htm
"Q. Why doesn’t my seed germinate even after soaking?
A. Okra seed does not keep well. Buy fresh seed each season, or save seed of non- hybrid varieties yourself by allowing a few pods on your best plant to mature. When the pods turn brown and begin to split at the seams, harvest them and shell the seeds from the pods. Dry seed thoroughly for several days, then store in a cool, dry place in tightly closed containers until next season."
You should find this interesting. A 'puter gardening friend sent me a couple of pods, but I never grew them. I'd offer to send them to you, but the seeds should be sown every year and not stored long term. They've been sitting on a shelf above my 'puter for 2 years. I wonder if they'd grow.
I'd say to put 10 seeds in a moist paper towel and put in a baggie in a warm place. Maybe on top of the refrig. This site explains how to test them for germination.
