Okra Hill Country Heirloom Red

These plump, red and green pods have a rich, delicious okra flavor. In my field, they grew to above average heights of 8-feet tall on thick, deep-red stems, and produced for months! Hill Country Red Okra is said to have originated in the eastern portion of the mostly limestone Edwards Plateau in west-central Texas—also known as Texas Hill Country. This area has a large German population and influence, which meant they opposed secession from the Union during the Civil War, and also meant introducing the accordion to Tejano music. Okra is probably from West Africa, though some claim Ethiopia as the origin. Many believe enslaved Africans hid okra seeds in their hair on the forced journey across the Atlantic. Certainly, this crop is a taste of home for people of the African Diaspora. My partner Chris (another Truelove Seeds farmer based at the Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden) is from Mississippi and is an okra fanatic. This is his favorite variety hands-down, but cannot commit to growing only one type, so I isolated this crop to produce true seed.

**Images and descriptions courtesy of "Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds**