Asparagus

Asparagus, that elegant and delicious spring vegetable, might seem a bit fancy, but it's totally achievable in your own garden. It's a perennial, meaning it'll come back year after year, giving you a delicious harvest for up to 20 years! It's a bit of a commitment, sure, but it's a super rewarding one. So, let's dig into how to get your own asparagus patch going.

TL;DR - Growing Asparagus

Asparagus needs a sunny spot and well-drained soil. Plant one-year-old crowns in spring, in a trench. Don't harvest for the first two years while the plant gets established, but after that, enjoy spears in spring (April-May), and let the plant grow into ferny foliage. Cut this back in Autumn, and mulch.

Getting Started with Asparagus

Most people start their asparagus journey with one-year-old crowns, which are basically the young root systems of the plant. You can grow from seed, but it takes longer (up to three years to get a harvest) so crowns are the quicker way to go. When spring rolls around, find a nice sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained, fertile soil. Asparagus isn't fussy, but it likes good drainage!

Planting Asparagus Crowns

Okay, here’s the fun part. Dig a trench about 20cm wide and 15cm deep. Make a small mound of soil in the center of the trench, then place your asparagus crown on top, spreading the roots out like a little octopus. Cover the crown with about 10cm of soil, give it a good water, and keep it moist while it gets established. Let the plant grow and develop its ferny foliage, and resist the urge to harvest the first year!

The Importance of Patience: No Harvesting First Year!

This bit is key - do NOT harvest any of those tasty spears for the first two years, and the first year in particular. This might be hard, but trust me, it's worth it. You're allowing your asparagus plants to build up strength and really get settled in, which will pay off big time with a better asparagus yield in the coming years.

Asparagus Care

Asparagus care isn't too demanding. Keep the soil around the plants weed-free and water them regularly in dry spells. In autumn, when the ferny foliage turns yellow and then brown, cut it back to ground level. Now’s the time to mulch around the crowns with well-rotted manure or compost to give them a lovely boost for the next growing season. Think of it as tucking them in for a good winter's sleep.

Harvesting Your Asparagus

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for! In the year after planting (or year 3 if grown from seed), you can start harvesting. When the spears are about 18cm tall, use a sharp knife to cut them off at ground level. Enjoy this delicious moment! Harvest time is usually April and May but make sure to stop harvesting by mid-June so the plants can grow their ferns and replenish themselves for the following year.

Asparagus Problems

Like any plant, asparagus can have its issues. Keep an eye out for asparagus beetle, which can nibble on the foliage and stems, and asparagus rust, which appears as orange spots. Remove the larvae by hand and treat any rust with a fungicide. Good soil and good care can help prevent these issues, so start by giving your plants the best start possible.

Asparagus Varieties

There are many different asparagus varieties to choose from, so you can choose one that is best suited to your climate and soil type. Some popular options are 'Gijnlim' (good for cooler climates), 'Mondeo' (known for heavy crops), and 'Pacific Purple' (has beautiful purple spears). Choosing the right asparagus variety can help with your overall harvest and success of the asparagus bed, so do a little research to see what will work best in your area.

Growing asparagus is a real labour of love, but the reward of fresh, homegrown spears is totally worth it. With a little patience and care, you’ll have a thriving asparagus bed that you can enjoy for years to come. Happy gardening!