GARDEN TALK

Fresh-grown Asparagus

Prep beds now for easy-to-grow produce

Garden Talk

Dani Carroll

Asparagus may be one of the most costly vegetables at the supermarket. I know this because my daughter loves it; however, this perennial vegetable may be one of the easiest to grow. Perennials are plants that live for many growing seasons. They dieback in the winter and grow back in the spring from the same root system. Asparagus plants will produce for 20 years, if not longer than, and provide tender green spears every spring. It will take two to three years before the asparagus reaches full production.

So, before planting, choose the perfect site and prepare the bed well; it’s going to be there a long time.

Set plants in the sun Asparagus, like most vegetable plants, needs full sun. Full sun means at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sunlight every day. Asparagus beds planted near trees may receive full sun at the time the bed was prepared, but remember the trees will grow. Years from now, the bed may become shaded, so plan accordingly.

Asparagus could be established within a vegetable garden. Again, remember that asparagus is not a vegetable that can be rotated – it is there to stay. Consider preparing the asparagus bed along the edge.

This way, any garden equipment that is used in the garden will not disturb the bed.

Good soil preparation is a must Before planting, or even thinking about buying asparagus to plant, work on the site of the asparagus bed. Remember, asparagus will produce for decades, so a well-prepared bed is a must. Fall is the best time to start preparing. Preform a soil test first. Asparagus prefers soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and will not grow well in very acidic soils. Soil tests also will recommend the best fertilizers for asparagus grown in that spot. If possible, choose a site free of perennial weeds. If this is not possible, make sure all the weeds are gone by planting time.

Asparagus spears emerge from the ground; therefore, a well-drained soil is crucial. In heavy clay soils, amending is a necessity. Turn in plenty of organic matter – such as straw and leaf mold, compost kitchen waste and animal manures, as well as peat. With asparagus, organic matter is the key, and gardeners may have to add organic matter several times to improve the health of the soil before planting time. Plant during the dormant season Dormant asparagus crowns can be planted as early as January in south Alabama and in March in north Alabama. This makes February and March perfect for us in central Alabama. Use 1-year-old crowns or plants because it takes one to two years longer to produce asparagus from seed. A crown is the root system of an asparagus plant that was grown from seed. Purchase the plants from a garden store, nursery or through a seed catalog.

Asparagus should be planted in a trench or furrow. Dig a trench about 12 inches deep and just as wide. The asparagus crowns should be spaced about 12 inches apart in the furrow. Lay the crowns out in the bottom of the furrow with the roots spread apart and the buds pointed up. If more than one row or furrow is made, space them about 5 feet apart. Cover the crowns with 2 inches of well-amended organic soil. Soon, the asparagus plants will begin popping up through the soil. When they do that, add a little more of the well-amended organic soil. Keep raking soil into the furrow as they grow, until the furrow is filled.

Take care of the plants Asparagus is a fern-like plant. Let it grow until frost turns the asparagus plant brown. At that time, cut down the brown ferns. Early the next year, use the soil test results to fertilize the plants, and the asparagus spears will start to poke through the ground.

But be patient Do not harvest any asparagus the first year, much like blueberries. Harvesting too much too early will result in a weak plant. The second year, gardeners could enjoy about six weeks of harvest and maybe eight weeks the following year.

Quit harvesting when spears appear spindly; gardeners will notice that the diameter is similar to that of a pencil. Allow these spears to grow; their tips will start to open and develop into foliage resembling a fern. This is a good thing. Energy is produced and stored in the roots for a healthy nextyear crop. Like I said above, it is a perennial, and once the foliage turns brown, it can be cut down.

Choose a variety There are several varieties of asparagus from which to choose. Most have heard of Mary Washington. This is an older variety that has been a standard for many decades. It is a female variety. No, you do not need more than one variety, and it doesn’t matter if they are male or female plants.

I really like some of the newer male hybrids, such as Jersey Knight and Jersey Gem. They often produce more spears. The male plants do not produce seeds, which can lead to seedling asparagus that may become a nuisance in the garden.

There also is a purple cultivar of asparagus that grows well here: Purple Passion. Once it’s cooked, it will turn green. Green, purple, blue or yellow, fresh asparagus spears from the garden are hard to beat.

Right now is the best time to start preparation of the beds, so go get busy. ~ Dani Carroll is a regional extension agent at the Talladega County Extension Office. Easy to Grow From Top: Asparagus tips will continue to grow and resemble a fern, which is good for nextyear crops; Quit harvesting when asparagus are about the diameter of a pencil.