Tips for Thriving Asparagus: Unveiling the Mysteries of a Vibrant Harvest
Fresh Asparagus: Your Guide to a Garden Goldmine
Let me tell ya, there ain't nothing quite like snatchin' a freshly picked asparagus spear straight from your own garden. Sounds like I'm exaggeratin', but trust me, store-bought ain't got nothin' on that homegrown goodness. So, buckle up, 'cause I'm gonna share my journey of sowin' asparagus at our new property. It's easy peasy, and you'll reap the rewards for years to come!
A couple of years back, we picked up ten acres of land. This bad boy had been divvied up, and we finally built ourselves a new house – my dream house! Now, while the construction was still goin', I was itchin' to do more than just sit around. I wanted to start a brand-new garden, and there we were with nothin' but dirt under our boots. No water nearby? Didn't phase me. I hopped online, searchin' for somethin' to plant!
I'd always known I wanted to grow asparagus, and I also knew it'd be a bit before we could really chow down on the stuff. So, naturally, I went on a mission to learn more about the stuff.
A Web of Asparagus Types
Now, asparagus can be all male or a mix of male and female, and if ya want more production on your plants, you should opt for an all-male variety. Jersey Supreme and Jersey Knight are the stars of the show here – they're really sought-after for their flavor, texture, and hardiness. The Jersey Giant's not far behind, either. 'Cause the boys don't gotta produce seeds, they'll churn out a lot more asparagus spears than the females.
If ya fancy propagatin' asparagus to share with family or just want more of the good stuff on your plate, ya'll need a variety that's both male and female, like Mary Washington.
Seeds or Crowns?
You can grow asparagus from seeds, but ya gotta have patience. We're talkin' a three-year wait before you can eat your new asparagus, and honestly, I ain't got that kind of self-control! So, I decided to go with crowns instead. But now that I've got a thriving asparagus bed, I'm planning to experiment with growin' from seeds this year. By the end of the summer, I'll be back to fill ya in on the details.
If ya wanna give seeds a shot, grab 'em at your local nursery or online and start 'em indoors before the last frost date. Follow the instructions on the packet, and you'll be well on your way to homegrown asparagus!
Gettin' Your Crowns On
Plantin' asparagus crowns is a cinch. Just follow a few important steps, and it's smooth sailing!
Plant Selection
Choose a well-drained spot with plenty of sunshine. Asparagus is a perennial, so once you plant it, it's there for 20 or so years. Make sure you've got the space and spot picked out before you start diggin'.
We constructed an asparagus bed that was about 5 feet wide and 24 feet long. After tillin' our bed, it sat there for a few days while the soil dried out. At that point, we yanked out the clumps of grass and other green matter that were already dry.
Soil Amendment
Since asparagus will be in the same place for a couple of decades, it's important to start off with rich soil. We created two trenches, 2 feet apart, and about 18 inches deep. Next, we added a good dollop of organic compost, formin' a mound in the middle of the trench. Fertilizer may also be needed, based on your soil's makin'. Ours was already grand, so we only added compost.
Plantin' Time
We planted the crowns 12 - 13 inches apart on top of the compost mounds we'd created. We tuckered the roots on the sides of the mound and added another couple of inches of compost.
Mulch Time
Next, we covered the area around the new plants with a thick layer of mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out. In between the two rows of asparagus, we took extra care: we first laid down some newspaper sheets and then added the mulch on top. This should help keep the area between rows weed-free.
Waterin' Time
It's time to water your new asparagus bed! The crowns need to be watered a lot more often until they get established. We didn't have water at the new property and had to borrow the neighbor's hose the first time. Later on, we were waterin' by hand – transportin' water in plastic bottles and waterin' the asparagus by the cupful.
Weed Control
Make sure you keep the weeds at bay: it's a whole lot easier to pull 'em a few at a time every couple of days than tryin' to tackle thousands after they've invaded. I started my mornings by checkin' on my babies – a great way to kickstart the day!
Patience is Key
This is the hardest step in the whole process: don't touch those asparagus spears! It's so exciting to watch 'em grow, but you gotta let 'em for a while. Wait until the summer hits before you start harvestin'.
Care and Feedin'
Once established, asparagus plants are pretty low-maintenance:
- Add some compost in the spring.
- Water 'em when it don't rain.
- Pick fresh spears every other day for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how old your plants are.
- Don't harvest any of the spears that start turnin' fern.
- Let the ferns grow, so they can feed the plant.
- Cut back the ferns after the first frost, once they turn yellow.
- After trimmin' the ferns, cover the plants with a thick layer of mulch to protect 'em from the winter cold.
Asparagus FAQ
Can I grow asparagus in a pot?
Maybe, but it ain't recommended. Asparagus roots like to spread, so ya gotta plant one per 18" pot. Plus, that pot's gonna hafta be brought inside for the winter, or put in the ground unless ya want it to freeze.
Can asparagus grow in shade?
It can take a bit of shade, but it needs a sunny area to thrive.
Can I grow asparagus from cuttings?
I haven't tried, but I think not. You can (and should) divide asparagus roots as the years go by, and it starts to produce less.
First Harvestin' Asparagus
If you plant 2-year-old crowns, you can start harvestin' the second year. Only harvest for 3 to 4 weeks, then let the fern grow to get the plants nice and strong.
After the second year, you can harvest for around 6 weeks. Harvest every other day in the spring: if you wait longer, it'll go to fern, and you might miss out! Grab spears that are 8 to 10 inches tall and 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch thick.
While it may be temptin' to just snap the asparagus as you harvest it, it's a lot bettah to use a sharp knife to make sure you don't accidentally damage the roots.
Storin' Asparagus
Asparagus is best when used fresh, but if ya gotta store it for a few days, ya can wrap it in a damp paper towel and stick it in the fridge. You can also gather 'em up in a bunch and stand 'em in a glass jar with 1/2 inch of water. Stick that in the fridge for a few days.
If you have a whole patch of asparagus that you can't eat fast enough, ya can blanch it and store it in the freezer. It's a good idea to store it in the amount needed for a meal so it's easy to use.
Usin' Asparagus
At the start of the season, I like to chomp on a few spears fresh from the garden. They're crisp and full of life, somethin' I really need after a dreary winter.
Here are some ways to use asparagus:
- Add 'em to fresh salads.
- Roast 'em up.
- Steam 'em.
- Broil 'em.
- Grill 'em.
- Make cream of asparagus soup.
For more details, check out this post about 7 ways to cook asparagus.
Now you know how to grow the dear ol' asparagus in your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor for many years to come!
Author's Note
- Adriana Copaceanu Adriana Copaceanu is a nature lover through and through, livin' on her dream property in the country. más de 300 lavanderas, unos salvajes y una variedad de hierbas aromáticas que comparte con el mundo animal que se atrae. Cuando no está en el jardín, le gusta pasar tiempo con sus gallinas y adelantar sus proyectos de naturaleza. ¡Conoce sus libros de proyección! *Cómo crecer lavanda en un proprioso y rentable negocio: claves aprendidas al plantar 300 lavanderas*Cómo criar pollos de huevos: un guía para criar gallinas felices y sanas en su propia granja rural para obtener huevos nutritivos, organicos ecológicos en casa*
- The journey of sowing asparagus on a new property reveals the joys of harvesting freshly picked asparagus spears straight from the garden, outshining store-bought asparagus.
- Choosing an all-male variety of asparagus, such as Jersey Supreme or Jersey Knight, is recommended for increased production, while a variety like Mary Washington is sought-after for both male and female plants.
- Instead of growing asparagus from seeds, which requires a three-year wait, it's more common to plant asparagus crowns for immediate results. The author plans to experiment with growing from seeds later this year.
- Planting asparagus crowns involves selecting a well-drained, sunny spot; amending the soil with organic compost and possibly fertilizer; planting the crowns 12-13 inches apart on top of compost mounds; and covering the area with mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Patience is crucial during the initial growth period, as it's essential not to harvest the asparagus spears until the summer to allow the plants to establish.
- Once established, asparagus plants require minimal care, such as adding compost in the spring, regular watering when it doesn't rain, and periodic harvesting every other day for 4-8 weeks.
- Asparagus can be stored in the fridge by wrapping them in a damp paper towel or standing them in a glass jar with water, while excess asparagus can be blanched and frozen for later use.
- Asparagus is versatile in the kitchen, with uses including adding it to salads, roasting, steaming, broiling, grilling, and making cream of asparagus soup – find more cooking ideas in this post about 7 ways to cook asparagus.
- With a thriving asparagus garden and its accompanying recipes, the author's lifestyle and culinary creations intertwine with the home-and-garden and food-and-drink domains – check out her other books to discover more natural living projects.
