Growing Asparagus

[Bluebonnet]

Who here grows asparagus?

I grow the Mary Washington heirloom variety.

I was wondering how everyone else prepares a raised bed for asparagus. It seems like there is a lot of differing opinions when it comes to getting the right mix.

I am not an asparagus fan, once in a blue moon will I eat it, but I have read that it is a good idea to plant a new bed to ensure a continued supply. Another thread got me to thinking about the neighbor folks who enjoy my asparagus for canning and that the supply I have on hand is not enough to meet demand.

In short, I'm going to plant a few more beds of it this year.

My current bed is 4x8 and contains 24 crowns. I have heard that once they are better established that they will produce about a 1/2 pound per crown, which should add up to 12 pounds of asparagus, if that math is correct.

I want to increase my production to bring me up to 50 pounds, since asparagus requires so little effort.

 

[buckabucka]

I love having asparagus. Our bed is fairly old, but I think I bought some kind of super-male plants. It has thrived for years, but now it is full of some twining vine and even blackberries. We still get asparagus, despite the invasive weed battles.

Meanwhile, DH decided to start another asparagus bed up in the field, and he bought 250 plants . He bought a tractor, and everything seems to happen on a big scale now. This is the first year we can pick the new asparagus freely.

After plenty of fresh eating, we like to blanch the asparagus, chop it in the cuisinart, and freeze it in pints. It is just the right amount to make asparagus soufflé for dinner in the winter. We do this with broccoli too.

 

[baymule]

I grew up on asparagus out of a can. Nasty, smelly yukky stuff. I wouldn't eat it. I never knew that stuff had a fresh counterpart. I love asparagus now. I don't think I would like it, even home canned. Maybe frozen, but I only have a couple of crowns and we already ate it all.

I wonder if a hugelkulture bed would be good for asparagus?

 

[seedcorn]

I wish when I moved my spot, I'd just killed them and bought crowns. Once established, see no reason to ever move it.

Best way is to lightly sauté the spears and set with fingers-have to let them cool first.

 

[Carol Dee]

We have, let me count, four bed. Two of which came from seed blown from the established bed in the east fence line. DH moved the babies from the main garden to the west fence line. Then there is the patch we started behind the garage when we moved here 33 years ago. Still going strong. We love the stuff. Can't have enough. DH and sons (teaching Grandsons) like it raw! By the end of the season the weeds take over, has not been a big problem. Enjoy your new Asparagus bed.

 

[Bluebonnet]

What advice can you give for purchasing a tractor?

I do not have one yet for my property. I am also looking into buying a hay baler, as I have to rent one each year.

250 plants is whole lot of spears!

 

[Bluebonnet]

We have, let me count, four bed. Two of which came from seed blown from the established bed in the east fence line. DH moved the babies from the main garden to the west fence line. Then there is the patch we started behind the garage when we moved here 33 years ago. Still going strong. We love the stuff. Can't have enough. DH and sons (teaching Grandsons) like it raw! By the end of the season the weeds take over, has not been a big problem. Enjoy your new Asparagus bed.

How invasive is asparagus? Is there a way to keep it from spreading? I have not had a problem thus far, but I had no idea it could spread like that.

 

[Carol Dee]

I don't think of it as being invasive. It has not spread to the yard from the patch by the garden. Probably because any little ferny starts get mowed off. DH WANTED them and moved them carefully so he could save them. Tilling the garden would have done them in.

 

[buckabucka]

Bluebonnet, I a not really qualified to give tractor advice. DH got a used Massey Ferguson (not sure I spelled that right).
And then the quest for attachments begins, bush hog, tiller, 6' snow blower, chipper, etc.

It has been a great machine to have around. We can't move our "mobile" hoop coop without it.

 

[seedcorn]

Assuming want smaller tractor. Suggest to go with brand that closest dealer sells for service and ease of obtaining parts. Otherwise, I'd go with John Deere having the largest number of dealerships over country. If want USA made, check closely, ask questions as some brands you would think are USA, aren't. Smaller tractors may be assembled in USA but made with slave labor.