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Chubby Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

Price: $2.95

SKU: 3270121

70 days - The plants of 'Chubby' okra are productive, reach five feet in height or taller, and produce large, tasty pods. The exact harvest point is partially based on personal preference, but we like these when they reach four to five inches long and are about six inches in circumference. At this stage, they are about twice the diameter of common okra varieties.


'Chubby' is an old family heirloom that was received into our seed bank in early 2018. Originally sent to us by a seed saver named Joan Baron, she received them from the Dallas (Texas) Public Library's Seed Library.[1] The variety had been donated to the library by Angela Mattingly who had been gifted the seeds from her uncle, the late Virgil Redwine. Mr. Redwine had been growing 'Chubby' for over fifty years.

As a deliveryman for Jackson Cookies in Little Rock, Arkansas, part of Mr. Redwine's route included the grocery store on Grand Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas operated by Ruby Dockery and her husband. Mrs. Dockery is who shared the seeds with Mr. Redwine indicating to him that they had been grown by her family for around one-hundred years.

We sent the seed to our friend David Pendergrass, who grew out our seed stock for us on his farm in Tennessee.


Planting Instructions: Sow seeds ¾ inches deep directly in the garden after the soil has warmed or start seeds in pots and transplant after all danger of frost has passed.

Since okra has tough seed coats, you can either scarify or soak seeds prior to sowing to help improve germination. When soaking the seeds, use warm (but not hot) water and only for 4 to 6 hours.

After the plants are about two inches tall, thin them to a spacing of one plant every eighteen inches, removing the weakest looking plants in the process.

Harvest the pods when young and tender. Older pods become tough and fibrous. If the pods are allowed to mature, the plant will cease production. Okra thrives in warm weather and is used in soups, stews, boiled or fried.
Informational References:
  1. Correspondence with Joan Baron.
  2. "Dallas Seed Library February/March Update," Dallas Texas Public Library, 2018.
  3. Obituary of Ruby Dockery.
  4. Obituary of Virgil Redwine.
  5. Angela Mattingly is a Sustainable Living Coach and owner of Our Little Barnyard in Texas.

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