Dwarf Stovall

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Tender pods arrive with a crisp, succulent snap and a fresh, green sweetness that feels bright from the first bite.

Dwarf Stovall is a compact okra for home gardens, producing abundant, uniformly sized pods that stay pleasantly tender for quick roasting and skillet-style searing, as well as for thickening sauces and pickling brine with ease. Grow it for a steady harvest rhythm over weeks—vigorous, manageable, and irresistibly garden-fresh.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dwarf Stovall’s small, reliably tender pods give you that coveted okra viscosity without needing long cooking—perfect for getting browned surfaces and still keeping a sharp snap. Use it for sear-and-eat or for thickening a pot where you want the slime to act like a natural binder, not a prolonged simmer.

Best Uses

hot skillet searing until the cut faces brown and the pods stay crisp-tender
quick roasting at high heat for caramelized edges and jammy pod interiors
gumbo-lean thickening for soups/stews without thinning out
quick pickling in a vinegar brine for crunchy, grassy bites

Flavor Profile

fresh green sweetness crisp-tender snap with a lightly sticky, mucilaginous finish mild, vegetal flavor that turns savory fast under heat clean, quick-cooking tenderness with minimal stringiness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon smoked paprika tomatoes andouille sausage cornmeal

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and how can I control it?

A frequent issue is okra leaf spot and powdery mildew, especially when air is humid and leaves stay wet. Water at the soil line, space plants so foliage dries quickly, and remove badly spotted leaves; if it’s spreading, spray an approved fungicide labeled for okra and powdery mildew and follow the label timing.

How often should I water Abelmoschus esculentus during the main growing phase (after it starts producing pods)?

Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged once Abelmoschus esculentus is growing strongly, typically about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and container vs. bed. Check moisture by feel 1–2 inches down: water when it’s starting to dry there, because inconsistent moisture can reduce pod quality and slow new pod formation.

How do I tell when Dwarf Stovall okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest pods when they’re young and tender, about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) long and before they get tough or stringy. Pick every 1–2 days during the 55-day main season, because pods can quickly become fibrous within a short window and earlier harvesting keeps the plant producing.