Why grow asparagus?

Asparagus is a long-term perennial vegetable that gives you a harvest each Spring for at least 20 years. It doesn't require much, just some compost and manure in Winter, and can even grow in salty soils. Plus it is delicious and provides many vitamins, plus potassium and folate. It is also ready to harvest at a time when there may not be many other vegetables available after a cold Winter. 

How to grow asparagus

Asparagus is easy to grow, with the best method being to plant established crowns. This means you will only need to wait 2 years from planting to start harvesting your first spears. Leave any spears that come up in the first year alone and let them grow into ferns to feed the establishing crown. You can also start asparagus from seed if you are growing a lot to save money. 

After harvesting for about 6-8 weeks in Spring, let the rest of the spears that come up turn into ferns. By mid-Summer you should have a forest of green ferns. Keep watering and feeding them to give the crown energy and growth for next year's harvest. In Autumn the ferns will turn brown and can be cut back to ground level. At this time add plenty of compost and manure, plus a good layer of straw or sugarcane mulch. Then harvest again the following Spring. 

One word of advice - think carefully about where you plant your asparagus as it can be hard to move once established, and every few years dig up, divide and replant the crowns, giving away any excess. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about growing Chinese cabbage.  

This week's recipe links

Warm Lentils with Roasted Beets, Wilted Chard & Goat Cheese from Feasting at Home. 

Cannellini White Bean Soup with Swiss Chard from The Spruce Eats. 

Leek and Spinach Risotto from Barley & Sage. 

Scottish Pearl Barley Vegetable Soup from Neil's Healthy Meals. 

More info

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.