1# OKRA/CLEMSON SPINELESS

Clemson Spineless is the most widely grown and trusted okra variety in home gardens. It’s an heirloom known for high yields, tender pods, and easy harvesting thanks to its reduced spines.

🌱 Quick Overview

• Type: Okra (warm‑season vegetable)

• Plant height: 4–6 feet

• Pod color: Medium green

• Pod length (harvest): 3–5 inches

• Flavor: Mild, classic okra taste

• Use: Frying, soups, gumbo, pickling, freezing

• Days to maturity: ~55–60 days

• Pollination: Open‑pollinated (seed‑saving friendly)

✅ Why gardeners grow Clemson Spineless

• Spineless pods (much easier to harvest than older types)

• Very productive and reliable

• Excellent pod quality when harvested young

• Performs well in hot, humid weather

• Proven heirloom grown since the 1930s

This variety is the standard by which most other okra are compared.

🌼 Growing from seed

• Planting time: After all frost danger has passed and soil is at least 65–70°F

• Seed depth: ½–1 inch

• Spacing:

  • Plants: 12–18 inches apart

  • Rows: 30–36 inches apart

• Sun: Full sun (8+ hours)

• Soil: Well‑drained, moderately fertile soil

• Water: Regular watering, especially during flowering and pod set

Tip: Soaking seeds overnight before planting speeds germination.

🌿 Plant care

• Mulch once soil is warm to retain moisture

• Plants tolerate heat and drought better than many vegetables

• Side‑dress lightly with compost or balanced fertilizer if growth slows

🥒 Harvesting

• Harvest pods at 3–5 inches long for best tenderness

• Pick every 1–2 days during peak production

• Overgrown pods become tough quickly

• Frequent harvesting encourages more pods

🍽️ Kitchen notes

• Classic choice for gumbo

• Excellent fried, sautéed, roasted, or pickled

• Freezes well after blanching

• Young pods are tender with little slime when cooked quickly