The first step in any garden project is planning. Asparagus likes to spread out, though 1 year old crowns may look small about 12" in diameter, they will be 36+" in diameter by the time they are three years old. Asparagus crowns do best planted in rows. They certainly can be field grown but if you are planting for a family or for yourself and your spouse or just a single person, I find the best home is raised beds. Raised beds are easy to maintain, control weeds, feed and harvest. In the following posts we will present the following:
I. Varieties of asparagus, hybrid verses heirloom
II. Make a plan, how many plants, how much yield, how long are you willing to wait?
III. Choosing and preparing the planting site. Soil preparation and what Gus likes to live in.
IV. Planting the crowns.
V. Care after first planting, Spring and Fall care of Gus.
VI. Harvesting time line.
VII. Expanding your crop.
VIII. Gus, a gardeners best friend.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Everyone's favorite vegetable-Gus!
Six years ago I decided to venture out and try my hand at growing asparagus. I had been farming for 2 years and was finding success with everything I planted. I had always heard that asparagus can be challenging to grow and germinating seed to get your own crowns was nearly impossible without perfect conditions.
Well, I decided to play it safe in my new adventure and buy my first crowns from a grower in New Jersey. I purchased three year old crowns and built raised beds to plant them in. When my first 15 crowns arrived from the grower I had already done alot of research ( I am a nut about researching) so I knew what to do with the little octopuses. That is what they look like. I planted them in March and waited patiently-for a whole year. The following Spring we were picking Gus! If you have never tasted home grown asparagus you do not know what you are missing, trust me!
Well 50 crowns and six years later I am hooked. Asparagus is my most favorite veggie to grow especially when I go to the supermarket and it is $3.99 a lb and I know it was probably grown with some chemical fertilizer, pesticide and not really sure where it was grown.
Asparagus is easy to grow. The initial investment of time, preparation of beds and purchase of healthy crowns is worth every minute and dollar. Did you know that asparagus is a perennial vegetable? That means you plant it once and it gives you gus for 25+ years off the same plants. Not that you won't plant more than your original crop, cause you will not be able to resist expanding your crop if not for yourself then for your friends and neighbors who find out your growing asparagus. You become very popular when people discover your growing your own gus.
We will break up the lessons on growing asparagus into a few seperate blog posts to make it a step by step process for you. Try your hand at growing this amazing veggie, you will not be sorry.
Well, I decided to play it safe in my new adventure and buy my first crowns from a grower in New Jersey. I purchased three year old crowns and built raised beds to plant them in. When my first 15 crowns arrived from the grower I had already done alot of research ( I am a nut about researching) so I knew what to do with the little octopuses. That is what they look like. I planted them in March and waited patiently-for a whole year. The following Spring we were picking Gus! If you have never tasted home grown asparagus you do not know what you are missing, trust me!
Well 50 crowns and six years later I am hooked. Asparagus is my most favorite veggie to grow especially when I go to the supermarket and it is $3.99 a lb and I know it was probably grown with some chemical fertilizer, pesticide and not really sure where it was grown.
Asparagus is easy to grow. The initial investment of time, preparation of beds and purchase of healthy crowns is worth every minute and dollar. Did you know that asparagus is a perennial vegetable? That means you plant it once and it gives you gus for 25+ years off the same plants. Not that you won't plant more than your original crop, cause you will not be able to resist expanding your crop if not for yourself then for your friends and neighbors who find out your growing asparagus. You become very popular when people discover your growing your own gus.
Welcome to Farm Life in an Urban World
Hello and Thank you for visiting our blog. We hope you visit often and become a part of our community.
There are many reasons for growing and preserving your own food. One, it is a blast!, Two, it is money saver. Three, it is great to have food that you know where it was grown, how it was grown and what went into processing it (no preservatives or chemicals). Four, in case of an emergency; i.e, loss of job, natural disaster, you will not starve. So we will discuss, gardening topics here, such as, proper soil amenities, heirloom vs hybrid seed varieties, growing tips, harvesting tips and of course the preservation of your harvest.
We hope you will participate in our blog, by asking questions, sharing your experiences and learning new ways to garden and put up your harvest. No matter where you live or how much space you have to work with you can grow your own produce and preserve your harvest to feed your family for many months after the last tomato is picked.
Happy Farming!
There are many reasons for growing and preserving your own food. One, it is a blast!, Two, it is money saver. Three, it is great to have food that you know where it was grown, how it was grown and what went into processing it (no preservatives or chemicals). Four, in case of an emergency; i.e, loss of job, natural disaster, you will not starve. So we will discuss, gardening topics here, such as, proper soil amenities, heirloom vs hybrid seed varieties, growing tips, harvesting tips and of course the preservation of your harvest.
We hope you will participate in our blog, by asking questions, sharing your experiences and learning new ways to garden and put up your harvest. No matter where you live or how much space you have to work with you can grow your own produce and preserve your harvest to feed your family for many months after the last tomato is picked.
Happy Farming!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)