Research Library

In a Nutshell

• Similar to 2022, Emerald Green performed well with respect to yield, marketability and flavour
• New to the 2023 trial, Annie Oakley OP also performed well
• Dwarf Lee and Cajun Jewel were the lower performing varieties
• Growers identified season extension and regionally adapted varieties as priorities for growing okra well in southern Ontario

In collaboration with the Peel Youth Food Circle, we have created grow guides to help you grow okra and bitter melon at home! These guides are available in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin, Tamil and Tagalog. In the guides, you will find:

• the history and importance of okra and bitter melon

• tips on how to start your seedlings indoors, transplant (planting them out in your garden), harvest and save seeds

• information on companion planting, crop rotation and other ecological-growing techniques

• a recipe to help you enjoy okra and bitter melon!

We would love to see your gardening journey! Tag us and connect with us online @shadeofmiti and @peelyouthfoodcircle.

These guides were created by our community to support food sovereignty. Consider making a financial donation to support our work! All financial donations will be used to print physical copies of the guides that will be distributed through our community at libraries, food banks, community centres, newcomer and settlement agencies and other spaces.

Happy growing!

Rav and the other farmers wanted to document the best okra varieties for production across different farms in southern Ontario and Québec.

In a Nutshell

• High variability among varieties made it difficult to distinguish “best” and “worst” okra varieties
• Emerald Green performed well with respect to germination, yield, ratings, and grower preferences
• Market and CSA customers like all varieties, so go with the varieties that are best suited to your production system

Lire le rapport en français