Ah-ah-ah, Alabama. Ah-ah-ah, Alabama, not just a lyric from a song from the 1970’s or name of a soul band, but a sure fire hit in your garden that will bring a rolling tide of 4-5” long, and 4” wide ribbed light red with a splash of green.  A change of pace from the traditional long okras, this Southern classic brings a wide cylindrical shape with ridges that packs a little more sweetness and character. Reaching up around 5-6 ft tall—these are sure multi-versatile is the kitchen. Deep fry the flowers or press them into ice cream cones, chop it up into gumbo, eat them fresh, or pickle them quartered. So many Alabama things.                      

- Best direct seeded in the ground, rather than transplants, 1” deep, every foot in area with well amended soil and that gets full sun                                                                                                     - Plant about two weeks after last frost or through out growing season—keeping in mind it will take about 70 days to maturity                                                                                                         - (check https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates)                                                                                                         -This Alabama beauty reaches 5-5.5 ft tall and will shade out smaller plants.                                                                                     —Enjoys maximum sun and is extremely drought tolerant after a good soak so don’t plan on watering on the same schedule as tomatoes! Fertilize plants with some bat guano or another organic fertilizer by scratching some of it onto the surface and watering it in once every week or applying a liquid fish fertilizer.                                                     - Harvest frequently, when skin is fleshy, to promote more those beautiful creamy edible flowers and pods.. Great for seed saving when pods have completely dried and becomes woody.     Minimum 25 seeds.