asparagus

[seedcorn]

Most made it through the winter but the spears are really thin. That is what Iowa said (I wasn't clear at all) that they would never bear like before and give you thin/small spears. It was really hard work to dig up the old bed, transplant them. If Iowa is true, wish I would have just killed the old bed off and bought new roots.

Did yours bear as good once established? This is first spring as I did it last spring after harvesting asparagus off of the old bed.

 

[jomoncon]

I would, love, love, love to grow asparagus. But I've heard both that it can / cannot grow this far south. Does anyone have any experience with growing asparagus in the hot, humid south?

 

[Kassaundra]

I don't grow it in raised beds. Hopefully someone who does can talk about how they do it. Asparagus is a permanent commitment to that spot. You can't move it or replant it and expect a decent harvest.
I cleared out two different areas just so I'd have a shot at getting the drainage right, dug them up and got as much grass and weed roots out as I could and mixed in a lot of compost. Then I planted the crows a few inches deep. I water to keep the soil damp but not soaking wet that first year. In other words, they need an area that drains well. I watered regularly the first year until the plants were established. After that, I only water when it gets pretty dry. Aparugus can take fairly dry conditions once established, but in last year's drought, I did water deep.

The first year you plant it, don't harvest any spears. It needs those to grow and provide nutrients to get the root system established. I've heard different things on the spring after you plant it. Some say to harvest it sparingly that first spring and others say it actually does better in future years if you harvest it as usual. I did it pretty much as usual and get pretty good harvests so I tent to think it does not hurt. This timing assumes you plant crowns. If you grow it from seeds, you have to wait an extra year.

I harvest it for several weeks, then just let it go so it can store nutrients for following years. Since you are not growing it for market, don't pay any attention to what you read about how big it should be before you harvest it. As long as you get them while they are still young and before they start to fern out, those really skinny ones taste just as good as those thick ones. You need to keep them all cleaned off so it will continue to send up new spears.

Don't clean off the old ferns until they are fully dead. They keep producing nutrients for the roots as long as they are alive. I usually wait until after New Years to cut them down.

A word of warning. You need to watch for it in the spring. Last year I just happened to walk by one bed and the spears were up and ready to harvest earlier than I expected. They'll sneak up on you.

Asparagus is another one of those things that tastes better fresh. I still like the stuff you can get at the grocery store if I pick a fresh bunch and if I cook it myself, but there is a noticable difference if you take it straight from the garden to the pot. Don't overcook it and, as far as I am concerned, don't drown it in sauces. But that is getting into personal preference.

Good luck. The only hard part for me in growing asparagus is the weeding. Maybe that will be easier in a raised bed.

My husband keeps talking about moving to the country, he is sounding more serious lately I have young beds that I planned on taking w/ me if we do move how long before they would be productive again?

 

[Kassaundra]

salt water to kill weeds in asparagus. Asparagus in the wild grows along oceans in ocean water--or so I've been told.

I moved my asparagus bed after 20 years. Lost a lot of starts but kept a lot as well. Asparagus is a heavy nitrogen feeder.

What about companion planting in w/ a legume then? Fixes nitrogen and smothering the weeds? Haven't researched it just a thought.

 

[Kassaundra]

Asparagus is a useful companion plant for tomatoes. The tomato plant repels the asparagus beetle, as do several other common companion plants of tomatoes. Meanwhile, asparagus may repel some harmful root nematodes that affect tomato plants.

Anyone know if this is true? From wikipedia

I don't know if it is true, but I have read it in several other places too. My asparagus is in my garden (no till garden) this year I planted my tomatoes next to my asparagus, also planted legumes in w/ the asparagus.

 

[ducks4you]

Nonsense, jomoncon. Here are some articles I've found and saved. One says that Asparagus is "Native to the Mediterranean and (was) eaten by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks," so I'm sure that you could grow it in zone 7a!!
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=33099&p=3
I saved several articles about asparagus, so I'll post the links for you.
How to Grow Asparagus from Seed: Tips on Growing Your Own Asparagus | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to- z1KqdiBM1z

http://kitchengardeners.org/planting-asparagus-crowns

How to Care for Asparagus: Tips for Success with Asparagus | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to- z1Kqdtkatd

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1603.html http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic- z1Kql0FpkL

http://www.aplustoz.com/hobbies-personal-interest/gardening/asparagus/

Can't seem to find the other article--I have it on my home computer--BUT, I made a list of companion plants and I put those in yesterday when I planted MY asparagus bed. They include:
Geraniums, tomatoes, cosmos, sunflowers and marigolds, to help control insects and diseases. I also pulled and threw in the trenches, clover that was growing in this old evergreen bush bed to fix nitrogen.

 

[Teka]

When I started a new bed, I planted strawberry plants as a groundcover between the asparagus roots. It has worked well, as the strawberries don't interfere with the A. but keep weeds down. This year, I topped all with straw and the asparagus and strawberries are popping up through it.

To keep your bed healthy, give it heavy doses of compost, but keep in mind that the deeper the roots are, the later your sprouts will be. The older the roots, the heavier the production, but if you want FAT asparagus, pick varieties such as Martha Washington.

Last word of advice: teh weedy tops become eyesores and can harbor pests such as the sparagus beetle, but if you want to increase your garden, you want those red berries to mature and fall. If you trim the heads back, wait until the berries are totally dry; then cut the weedy stalks back BUT LEAVE THE SEED HEADS BEHIND. Or, harvest the seeds and sprout them, keeping in a nursery areas for a couple of years.

Try asparagus on the grill. Pre-cook about 5 minues ib salted water, then throw on the grill a few minutes.

 

[ducks4you]

So glad to have some MORE input. Frankly, several of my articles contradicted each other regarding cutting down the fronds in the late Fall to prevent overwintering of pests. I'm looking forward to the red berries this Fall.