Nombo Giant

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Tender, velvety pods arrive with a lush, deep-green sheen—Nombo Giant okra is prized for its impressively large, softly ribbed texture that stays pleasantly crisp when young.

The flavor is mild and green, with a fresh, garden-sweet character that shines in quick skillet roasts, hearty sauces, and vibrant pickles. Grow it for a cool-season harvest window and enjoy steady, generous pickings from week to week.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 14th
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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Nombo Giant’s big, softly ribbed pods give you that velvety okra mouthfeel while staying pleasantly crisp when harvested young—so it’s built for fast heat and quick texture control. Use it in sauces for silk, or pickle thicker slices to keep the bite from collapsing.

Best Uses

quick skillet roast or blistering under high heat (aim for crisp edges, not melt-soft)
gumbo-style or tomato-based sauces where the pod slime gives silkiness without turning gummy
vibrant pickles—slice them thick for a sturdy crunch
succotash-style sauté with butter and herbs for a clean, sweet-green finish

Flavor Profile

mild, green sweetness tender but softly ribbed bite slight snap when very young velvety vegetal aroma

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon smoked paprika tomatoes butter sharp vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and how can I manage it at home?

Okra commonly suffers from powdery mildew (white, dusty patches on leaves) and can also be hit by okra aphids. Remove badly infected leaves early and spray with a potassium bicarbonate or sulfur-based fungicide according to the label, keeping coverage on leaf tops and undersides. For aphids, blast plants with water, then use insecticidal soap on the infested growth; repeat every 5–7 days until numbers drop.

How often should I water Abelmoschus esculentus during the main growing phase to keep pods forming well?

During flowering and pod set, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings if it’s not raining. Water at the base early in the day to avoid wet foliage, and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root issues.

How do I tell when Nombo Giant okra pods are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are tender and about 4–6 inches long (often roughly 7–10 days after flowering), before seeds enlarge and the pod becomes tough. Pick every 1–2 days during peak production, because overgrown okra becomes fibrous quickly. If you can’t easily snap the pod and it feels rubbery, it’s past prime—remove it to encourage more pod set.