I have both green, variety Millenial, and purple, variety Purple Passion, at JCFS. I will be offering crowns each spring for the nursery and fresh cut seasonally for the farm market and CSA.
CulinarY
Asparagus is a member of the lily family. It is high in folate, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and plant fiber. It may help lower blood pressure, can act as a prebiotic and may help relieve inflammatory conditions. High in purines, which increase the production of uric acid, asparagus can increase issues with kidney stones and gout.
If you are allergic to garlic and chives, you may be allergic to asparagus, too.
An 80g (about 5 spears) portion of asparagus (boiled) provides:
2.7g protein0.6g fat
1.1g carbohydrates
1.5g fibre
176mg potassium
311mcg carotene
138mcg folate
8mg vitamin C
Some people comment that asparagus has a strong smell. Its asparaguisic acid, when broken down through cooking, creates sulphur containing compounds, causing the smell.
Asparagus freezes well.
GrowinG
Asparagus is one of those amazing early-season vegetables that herald the gardening season is upon us. It is a perennial vegetable and crowns can produce for 10 or more years. The spears are the immature ferns.
Asparagus is dioecious, meaning it has both male and female plants. Male types produce more spears than female plants do. The female plant will produce the red berries with seeds.
Since asparagus is long-lived, doing your bed up right in the beginning is important. They like a well-drained and light, sandy soil. They hate competition, so keeping your bed weed free is important. They should not be rotated into a bed that previously had onion, chive or another member of the same family to reduce the chance of disease spread.
Purple Passion produces big spears, so keeping spacing to only 8 inches between crowns will keep the size restrained to produce smaller spears. Purple Passion is sweeter than the green varieties. Green varieties should be spaced 12-18 inches apart. For both, rows should be at least 5 feet apart to allow the ferns the space they need and to ensure proper spear size.
Check your soil before planting and add lime as needed to achieve a ph level of 6.5-7.0. Dig a 6 inch deep furrow and add an inch of compost to the bottom. Add an inch of soil. Crowns should be spread out over a cone of soil with 2 inches of soil over the top of the crown. As they grow and spears emerge the first year, soil should be continued to be piled on them so they just peak through until it is about 6 inches deep over the crown.
New asparagus plantings need good irrigation for the first two or three seasons. Drought stress can reduce yields. Organic mulches such as leaves, grass clippings, or straw can be applied 4-6 inches deep to help suppress weeds. My favorite is comfrey cuttings.
Asparagus beetles are their nemesis, but cutworms, grasshoppers and aphids are also a danger. Crown rot can be caused by overharvesting, growing in acidic or waterlogged soils and excessive pet pressure. Needle blight creates rust colored ovals on the ferns and causes the ferns to die.
Do not harvest the first year. The 2nd year after planting, asparagus can be harvested for 2 weeks. Harvest spears that are as thick as a #2 pencil or larger every 2-3 days. Leave the spindly ones and do not over harvest. The ferns store the energy for the next year's growth. Three years after planting you can harvest for 5-8 weeks. Yields will increase each year if the plant is managed properly.
Harvest in the morning by snapping the spear off when around 7 inches high and the spear tip is still tight. Using a knife can spread disease between plants. Harvest spears before a predicted freeze. Harvested spears need to be placed in cold water to flash chill, drained and immediately refrigerated to maintain quality. The season is usually mid-April until the first of June.
Do not cut back ferns until they are thoroughly dead. Cut and burn to reduce disease and pest issues. Mulching over winter can help protect the crowns.
FinaL
Some people do not like asparagus. I KNOW. Weirdos. It's one of my spring time culinary joys. I eagerly anticipate the spears poking up their little heads. The adult gardner's version of anticipating Santa's arrival. It's a very similar feeling when you see that first "present."
Asparagus is one of those plants that needs babied it's first couple of years, and then is off and running. They take up a lot of bed space, produce for a short time (although very well), and are really only able to be frozen for storage, not canned. Again, taking up valuable space. But are they worth it? Absolutely!!
sPECS
Asparagus officinalis
Type: Perennial
Uses: Culinary vegetable
Hardiness Zone:
Days to Maturity: 3 years from planting
Plant out: In spring as soon as soil can be worked or fall
Crown Prep: Keep in fridge until ready to plant
Crown Depth: 2 inches to start, 6 inches after growth
Growing Temp: 50 degrees
Height: 4 feet
Spacing: 12-18 inches green, 8 inches purple
Spread: 24 inches
Sunlight: Full sun
Water Requirements: Well irrigated first 3 years, drought tolerant after 3 years
Soil Quality: Well drained, loose, sandy
Soil Chemistry: Slightly acidic 6.5-7.0 pH
Crop Rotation: Do not plant where other allium and onions have been planted for the last year, preferably last 3 years
Fertilize: Top dress lightly with compost in spring, add nitrogen in spring
Growth Rate: Quick to grow, slow to mature
Bloomtime: Summer
Flowers: Berries just seem to appear. There must be flowers, but I've never noticed them.
Leaf color: Leaf green
Critter Attractant: None
Attracts: Rabbits, squirrels and other animals will eat new shoots
Critter Resistant: Listed as deer resistant, but they will eat it if nothing better is around, especially new shoots
Critter Resistant: Listed as deer resistant, but they will eat it if nothing better is around, especially new shoots
Harvest: Spears over pencil size for 2 weeks at 2 years after planting, 5-7 weeks 3 years of planting and beyond
Pruning: Remove spent ferns by early spring; remove and burn to reduce disease
Mulch: Mulch 6-8 inches with straw, leaves, grass clippings to reduce weeds and offer protection in winter
Pests: Asparagus beetle, aphids, grasshopper, cutworms
Diseases: Crown rot, needle blight
Reseeds: Yes, if you have female plants
Propagation: Crowns from new growth, seed
Storage: For long-term storage, store crowns in a dark room as close to 32F as possible
Preservation: Freeze for long-term storage
Garden Style: Vegetable
Companions: Not garlic, it can stunt asparagus
Allergy Potential: Yes, people with allium allergies are allergic to onions, shallots, garlic
Cullinary Use: Side vegetable
Medicinal: Vitamins, reduce inflammation
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-asparagus
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6405
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