Category: Vegetables

Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don’t produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four. How many asparagus plants should I grow? But, if space is not an […]

Yes, they can be planted in the same bed, just as you can plant different types of tomatoes or squash in the same bed (providing it is of sufficient size). There are not really any issues with cross pollination resulting in hybrids since you are not harvesting or growing new plants from seed. What is […]

There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus: Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth. Potatoes. Asparagus, on the other hand, stunts the growth of potatoes when they share the same space. What can you not plant with asparagus? The most important […]

$ 2.25. Just as the name implies this deep purple variety has 20% more sweetness than green asparagus. The large sturdy spears are almost stringless making it delicious both cooked and raw. What is the best tasting asparagus? ‘Mary Washington‘ is a traditional variety that produces long, deep green spears with pale purple tips. Appreciated […]

Asparagus varieties we would recommend are ‘Ginlim’ (RHS Award of Garden Merit), ‘Pacific 2000’ and a late variety to extend the season, ‘Guelph Millennium’. Does asparagus take 3 years to grow? As said above, newly-planted asparagus plants may take 2 to 3 years to truly get started and produce, so patience is needed! After they’re […]

It is asparagus season, and our local farm is selling out so fast that if I want a bunch or two I have to reserve!! Asparagus in France is traditionally steamed, and often eaten as a first course with a vinaigrette, but this year we are eating our asperges sautéd, or lightly fried. What is […]

The larger the asparagus, the tougher the peel, and the more likely they are to need peeling. I usually peel the stalks if the asparagus is 1/2-inch in diameter or larger. Large asparagus stalks tend to be much thicker at the bottom than at the top, so peeling makes them more uniform and they will […]

Sometimes boiled vegetables lack flavor or come out soggy: but not here! You’ll boil the asparagus in just 1 inch of water until it’s crisp tender. This method makes the most of this bright green spring vegetable. Should you soak asparagus in water before cooking? Do you wash asparagus before roasting? Some people give their […]

With proper care and in the right environment, asparagus live 7 years or more. What care do I provide for my asparagus in preparation for winter? After the fronds turn brown, remove them by cutting them off at the base. How long does an asparagus plant produce? A quick guide to asparagus An asparagus plant […]

How to Clean Asparagus Remove the woody part of the spears. The best way to clean asparagus is to start by snapping off the woody part at the bottom of each stalk. Rinse the asparagus under running water. Pat the asparagus dry. Does asparagus need to be washed before cooking? Preparing Asparagus for Grilling Rinse […]

Because asparagus is a perennial, you’ll need to designate a place in the vegetable garden or, even better, build a separate bed. Asparagus needs space. so plant the crowns 12 to 18 inches apart. They won’t spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in. Will asparagus multiply? […]

It is important to let the ferns grow instead of harvesting spears all summer long. Every time we remove a spear, we remove a stem of the asparagus plant. So after a few weeks of harvest, it is important to stop harvesting and let the ferns grow. When should you cut back asparagus ferns? When […]

Asparagus needs regular watering, especially while young; give it 1 to 2 inches of water per week during its first two growing seasons; give older plants about 1 inch per week. Give them a good start when you first plant them and you’ll have fewer problems in future years. How do you prepare an asparagus […]

The female asparagus stalk will become fern-like and develop berries (but don’t eat them because they are toxic to humans). Over time these female plants should be removed. When should I remove my female asparagus plant? Removing Female Plants If you decide to replace your female asparagus plants with male plants, it’s best to do […]

Asparagus is not toxic for dogs, so they can safely eat it. But there are a few things you should keep in mind before feeding asparagus to your pooch. First, asparagus stalks are quite tough. We humans don’t usually eat raw asparagus because it would be very difficult to chew. Why can’t dogs have asparagus? […]

It’s not as cut and dried as that, though, because the same plant will produce a range of sizes. Asparagus grows from a mass of roots, and each mass sends up scores of spears. Those that come up closest to the center, where the plant stores its nutrients, are fatter. Those farther out on the […]

Each new asparagus spear grows from a bud that forms on the crown. There are never two spears that grow from the same bud, so as the asparagus plant ages (and as long as the underground crown is not damaged from harvesting, insects or diseases), the crown grows larger and larger as more buds are […]

If they are left to continue to grow, it will help to boost the crop next year, but will reduce the number of new spears that develop this season. Cutting could take place until the normal end of the season (21 June) with this method.” How do you increase asparagus growth? Asparagus patches should receive […]

Tip. Asparagus rapidly becomes woody once it’s overgrown, and harvesting too aggressively can impair the long-term yield of your asparagus bed. What do you do if your asparagus is too tall? Better to prop them up. They’ll never do well if you cut them down. I agree with LTilton – from what I have read, […]

Asparagus harvest starts at the end of April and usually lasts for three to four weeks depending on air temperatures. When should you not cut asparagus? Spears should be harvested at six to 10 inches tall. Harvesting ends in late June or early July or when growth has slowed considerably. Fertilization, weed management and irrigation […]