Culture (Good to Know) |
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Asparagus varieties grown from seed have many desirable characteristics such as increased vigour and greater adaptability to local conditions. The spears supply many vitamins and minerals and are low in calories. They are best used within days of harvest for the greatest benefit. Store in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp paper towel. (Family: Lily, Lillacea)
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Latin |
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Asparagus officinalis
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When To Start |
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Start seeds indoors
Feb-May. You will start harvesting these long-lived perennials 3 years after
planting.
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Preparing the Seeds |
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Soak seeds for 2 hours. Plant 1 seed per 5cm (2") pot, 2cm (1/2") deep. Keep in a warm place. Be patient: they can take 2-8 weeks to sprout depending on soil temperature. Transplant when seedlings are 10-12 weeks old and danger of frost has passed.
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Preparing the Soil |
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Prepare beds by digging
deeply in well-drained soil. Add
compost and a handful of complete organic fertilizer for each plant.
Space 45cm (18") apart in rows 1–2m
(4–6') apart. Place each plant in a hole 10cm (4") deep and gradually
cover its crown (top) with soil as it grows. For thicker spears, space the
plants 30–35cm (12–14") apart and set the buds 15–20cm (6–8") deep in
the hole. For thinner spears, space 20–25 cm (8–10") apart with the buds
10cm (4") deep.
In optimum conditions at least 75% of seeds
will germinate. Soil temperature for germination: 21–30ºC (70–85ºF). Usual seed
life: 2 years.
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Diseases |
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Rust, fusarium wilt and fusarium stem and
crown rot. Using seed
started in sterile soil instead of
purchased plants, and planting in soil that has no history of disease will keep
your plants healthy.
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Insects |
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Asparagus beetles can defoliate the ferns. They overwinter in the top growth, so thorough removal of the fronds in the fall (after they have died) is vital. In a small garden handpick the voracious insects.
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Growing Tips |
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Fertilize after harvest
and again in spring with 1–2 cups of organic fertilizer per 3m (10') of row,
worked in lightly. Asparagus needs 2cm (1") of water per week. In late
fall, trim ferns down to 5cm (2") and remove cuttings to avoid future
disease and insect problems
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Harvest |
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Don't harvest until the third year. Then harvest over a 2-3 week period. Cut the fattest spears off at ground level when they are 15-20cm (6-10") long. When thinner spears begin to emerge let them to grow into big fronds to nourish the roots. With each successive year the harvest lengthens to a maximum of 6-8 weeks.
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