Bhindi, okra, or lady finger is a nutritious and delicious vegetable which is commonly used in Indian kitchen. Since the methods of preparing bhindi vary largely from one household to another, there are way too many recipes you can experiment with okra. Right from stir-fried bhindi to tari vali sabzi, or even as a crispy bhindi pakora, you can have it any way you want.
With so many bhindi recipes, okra can easily be one of your go-to veggies. If that’s the case with you, the best part about okra is that you can get fresh produce of vegetables right in your home garden. Since bhindi is easy to cultivate and can even grow in small spaces, why don’t you sow the seeds? Here are a few tips you can follow for a healthy harvest of okra.
Right Conditions
The first step before sowing the seeds of a plant is to ensure that you are giving it favourable growing conditions. Bhindi thrives in a warm climate, so it is best to plant it in a spot which gets ample sunlight. It also prefers well-drained soil, which is rich in nutrients. So, keep adding organic matter and alter the composition to make it a bit loose.
Sowing Seeds
The best way to ensure a healthy harvest of okra is to sow the seeds indoors. You can let the plant grow inside your house for about 4-6 weeks to protect it from the harsh conditions. Just choose a warm and sunny spot and keep the soil moist for healthy growth. Once you spot a few leaves branching out, you can plant it outside.
Sun And Water
The most important factors to enhance the growth of bhindi are adequate sunlight and regular watering. The plant should get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight every day to avoid stunted growth. Furthermore, the right amount of watering is necessary. You should carefully water the plants to keep the soil moist but also make sure that waterlogging does not occur, which can make the roots rot.
Fertilisation
The bhindi plant is a heavy feeder and would require regular fertilisation for a successful yield. You can add a balanced NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertiliser to the plant at the time of sowing and then at regular intervals of 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season. Simultaneously, to make the soil fertile, you can also add compost and organic matter.
Prevent Pests And Diseases
Being a vegetable plant, bhindi is highly susceptible to pests and diseases. So, you should be extra vigilant while taking care of the plant to prevent the plant from pests. One of the easiest ways to do so is by adding organic pesticides like neem oil or insecticidal soap, which keeps the pests away from the produce. Also, you should ensure that the plants are spaced properly for air circulation and if any, the infected parts should be removed immediately.