NEWPORT, N.C. (WNCT) — What began as a simple gardening project has turned into an attempt to break a world record for one Newport woman.
Vicki Swindell’s okra plant, named “Annie Okrey,” is now towering at around 17 feet tall. Swindell said the idea came from her husband’s love for okra. “I figured I’d try that,” she explained.
As the plant grew, it reached about 13 feet in height. That’s when a friend suggested it might be close to a world record after seeing a photo of it. Swindell planted the okra in April 2024, and she believes it may continue growing even taller. She expressed concern over nearby powerlines but noted that the plant has grown away from them on its own.
“It’s been amazing to watch how much it grows. At this point, it’s nearly a foot a month,” Swindell said. “I’m curious to see how tall it will get by the end of the season.”
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