Best Okra Companion Plants That Will Boost Your Harvest

Okra is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It's also a relatively easy plant to grow, but there are a few things you can do to boost your harvest. One of the best ways to do this is to plant okra with companion plants.

Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves planting certain types of plants together to benefit each other. Some companion plants can help to attract pollinators, deter pests, or improve the soil quality. When choosing companion plants for okra, it's important to consider the plant's needs and requirements. Okra prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It also needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather.

Here are some of the best companion plants for okra:

• Basil: Basil is a fragrant herb that can help to deter pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It can also improve the flavor of okra.
• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help to improve the soil quality for okra. They also provide shade for okra plants, which can help to protect them from the hot sun.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and okra have similar growing requirements, so they can be planted together in the same bed. Cucumbers can help to attract pollinators, which can help to boost the okra harvest.
• Eggplant: Eggplant and okra can both benefit from being planted together. Eggplant can help to deter pests like Colorado potato beetles, and okra can help to provide shade for eggplant plants.
• Melon: Melons and okra are both heat-loving plants that need full sun and well-drained soil. They can be planted together in the same bed, but make sure to give them enough space to grow.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are not only beautiful flowers, but they can also help to repel pests like nematodes and whiteflies. They can be planted around the edge of your okra bed to help protect your plants.
• Peas: Peas are another nitrogen-fixing plant that can help to improve the soil quality for okra. They can also be planted early in the season, which can help to suppress weeds and pests.
• Sunflowers: Sunflowers are tall plants that can provide shade for okra plants. They can also help to attract pollinators, which can help to boost the okra harvest.

When planting okra with companion plants, it's important to space the plants properly. The specific spacing requirements will vary depending on the type of plants you are growing. However, in general, you should give okra plants at least 2 feet of space between them.

Companion planting is a great way to boost your okra harvest and improve the health of your plants. By planting okra with the right companion plants, you can help to deter pests, improve the soil quality, and attract pollinators.

Okra is a warm-season vegetable that is known for its slimy pods. It is a member of the mallow family, which also includes cotton and hibiscus. Okra is a relatively easy plant to grow, but it can benefit from companion planting.

Some of the best companion plants for okra include:

• Basil. Basil is a strongly scented herb that can help to deter pests from okra plants. It can also improve the flavor of okra pods. Garden Wiki
• Beans. Beans and okra are both nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help to enrich the soil for each other. They can also help to shade the soil around okra plants, which can help to prevent weeds from growing.
• Cucumbers. Cucumbers and okra have similar growing requirements and can benefit from being planted together. They both need full sun and well-drained soil. Cucumbers can help to shade the soil around okra plants, which can help to prevent weeds from growing.
• Peppers. Peppers can help to repel pests from okra plants. They can also help to improve the flavor of okra pods.
• Tomatoes. Tomatoes and okra can be planted together, but it is important to space them out so that they do not compete for resources. Tomatoes can help to shade the soil around okra plants, which can help to prevent weeds from growing.

If you are interested in learning more about okra companion plants, I recommend visiting Garden Wiki. This website has a comprehensive guide to companion planting, including information on the best plants to grow with okra.

FAQ of okra companion plants

1. What are the best companion plants for okra?

Some of the best companion plants for okra include:

• Basil: Basil helps to deter pests like whiteflies and aphids.
• Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit okra plants.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and okra both attract pollinators, so they can be planted together to help each other out.
• Marigolds: Marigolds help to repel nematodes, which can be a problem for okra plants.
• Peppers: Peppers and okra both have similar growing requirements, so they can be planted together.

2. What plants should I avoid planting near okra?

Some plants that you should avoid planting near okra include:

• Potatoes: Potatoes and okra can compete for nutrients, so it is best to avoid planting them together.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and okra can attract the same pests, so it is best to avoid planting them together.
• Cabbage: Cabbage can harbor pests that can also attack okra plants.
• Melons: Melons and okra can compete for water and sunlight, so it is best to avoid planting them together.
• Pumpkins: Pumpkins can shade out okra plants, so it is best to avoid planting them together.

3. How far apart should I plant okra?

Okra plants need plenty of space to grow, so you should plant them at least 2-3 feet apart. If you are planting in rows, you should leave at least 3 feet between rows.

4. When should I plant okra?

Okra is a warm-season crop, so you should plant it after the last frost. In most areas, this is around May or June.

5. How do I care for okra plants?

Okra plants need full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. You should also fertilize okra plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

Image of okra companion plants

• Basil: Basil is a fragrant herb that can help deter certain insect pests, like whiteflies.
• Beans: Beans, including Phaseolus vulgaris and P. lunatus, are nitrogen-fixing plants that can help improve the soil quality for okra.
• Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) is a good companion plant for okra because it helps to repel cucumber beetles.
• Cayenne Peppers: Cayenne peppers can help to deter insect pests, like aphids and mosquitoes.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another fragrant herb that can help deter insect pests. They also help to attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs and lacewings.