Spring is finally here and the asparagus season has begun. Although asparagus can be found in supermarkets during their season, and year-round it is always better to get fresh vegetables at farmers’ markets or even form your own garden. Here is some essential information on how to grow asparagus at home.
Asparagus is a real superfood full of useful nutrients and is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber.100 grams of asparagus contains 15% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A, 9% vitamin C, the remarkable 52% vitamin K, as well as vitamin E and B vitamins. You also get 12% iron, as well as copper, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. When eating asparagus helps excess fluids and salt from the body, which can prevent urinary tract infections.
Asparagus contains vitamin E which strengthens the immune system and protects cells from free radical damage. Asparagus is a natural aphrodisiac.
The content of vitamin B6 and folate, as well as vitamin E, helps to stimulate estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Moreover, the minerals and amino acids contained in asparagus help the body clear faster of toxins accumulated in the liver after drinking alcohol.
So, I am sure you don’t need any more pros to start growing asparagus at home. Because we love them blanched, steamed, grilled, baked, and even raw.
How to Grow Asparagus From Seed
Asparagus can be grown from seed, but it takes a lot of time and patience. They sprout really slowly (from 2 to 6 weeks) here is why it is better to start growing your asparagus from roots.
Start the seedling in February, or early March. Place a seed into a newspaper pot on a sunny window. When the seed sprouts make sure you keep the temperature around 60- 70 F You can plant the baby plants outdoors once there is no risk of lower and freezing temperatures outside. It is important to have regular moisture because the seedlings are shallow in the soil. On the other hand, adult asparagus, which grows at greater depths, does not experience much stress from lack of moisture.
How to Plant Asparagus
Once you grow your baby asparagus it comes the time to plant them outside. Remove the seedlings carefully from the soil and sort the bigger ones. Select those plants that have thick, fleshy white roots with clearly formed 3-4 buds. Before creating the plantation, the place for growing the plants must be chosen very carefully, according to the soil and climatic requirements of the crop. White asparagus requires light sandy soils, while green ones prefer heavier ones.
The best results are obtained when planting annual seedlings. Transplanting to a permanent place is done as early as possible in the spring before the vegetation begins.
Carefully prepare the bed in the soil. Dig trenches 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep (8 inches in sandy soil) down the center of the prepared bed. For better results, soak the asparagus crowns in tea compost for about 20 minutes before planting them into the soil.
The tip of the root collar (growth buds plus roots) of seedlings should be around 5 inches below the intact soil surface and directed upwards. Add 2-3 inches more soil around after 2 weeks of planting your asparagus.
How To Take Care For Asparagus
Watering should be systematic and in small portions. Water your asparagus regularly especially in the first two years. Both the lack and excess of moisture have a negative impact on the development of the root system and the whole plant.
Remove any weeds around your plants, and apply mulch to smother any remaining weeds.
Keep your plants away from bugs, and pests. Improper control of diseases and pests has a negative impact on plant productivity and product quality.
Harvest of Asparagus
Normally the harvest begins from the fourth year in April to mid-June, when all the candles are harvested. You can enjoy fresh asparagus every day. They are cut with a special knife. Slightly dig the soil around them and with the help of the knife deep into the ground so that the longest asparagus can be cut.
