Annie Oakley II

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Tender pods arrive with a crisp, snap and a refreshingly mild, green-bean flavor—best when harvested young, before they turn tough.

Annie Oakley II produces an abundance of straight, spineless okra pods with a smooth, satiny surface and a clean, bright color that looks as good as it tastes in the garden. Grow it for reliable summer harvests and for bold, flavorful dishes where okra’s silky body shines in sauces, stir-fries, and pickles.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Annie Oakley II

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Jul 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With spineless, satiny pods harvested young, Annie Oakley II delivers that coveted okra slickness—silky thickener, not toughness. Use it fast and hot: it’ll stay green and snappy, then soften into a luxurious coat when you simmer it into a sauce or pickle it for bright, tangy crunch.

Best Uses

quick-sauté or hot stir-fry where the pods stay bright and snappy
gumbo-style or ragù-style sauce reduction to harness silkiness as a natural thickener
quick-pickling for tangy, crisp rounds with a clean vegetal bite
roasting or pan-searing for browned edges while keeping the interior tender

Flavor Profile

crisp snap when young mild green-bean flavor with a clean, grassy edge slippery, silky mucilage that thickens sauces without turning gummy

Kitchen Pairings

smoked paprika garlic tomato lemon juice buttermilk or yogurt cornbread

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem with Annie Oakley II lettuce, and how do I stop it?

The most common issue is downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on the leaf tops with gray-purple growth on the underside. Remove and discard affected leaves, increase spacing/airflow, and avoid wetting the foliage when you water. If it keeps spreading, switch to a labeled downy mildew treatment and stop overhead watering until conditions dry out.

How often should I water Annie Oakley II during its main growing phase?

During the main growth (about weeks 3–6), keep soil consistently evenly moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for heat and wind. Water early in the day so leaves dry quickly, and check that the top 1 inch of soil stays moist but not soggy. If you see leaves becoming limp or edges browning, increase watering frequency slightly; if soil stays wet and heavy, reduce watering to prevent rot.

How can I tell when Annie Oakley II is ready to harvest?

Harvest at around 50 days when heads are firm and reach full size, with outer leaves that look fully expanded and crisp. If you press gently on the head and it feels tight rather than loose, it’s ready; if it starts to feel less firm or the center is stretching, harvest immediately. Cut at the base with a sharp knife in the morning for the best texture and flavor.