Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a hardy perennial vegetable, best suited to cooler climates. It tolerates frost well. The succulent shoots emerge in early spring from the underground crown. Packed with vitamins and minerals, high in fibre, and absolutely delicious when fresh and well cooked, asparagus is growing in popularity.
The male and female asparagus plants are distinct (it is dioecious). The female plants produce (and drop) seeds, which can cause over-crowding if not controlled, and are lower-yielding and more disease prone. New “all male” hybrids produce no seeds and bigger yields (up to 3 times the yield).
Prefers:
- Good drainage
- Full sun
- Loose soil to a depth of at least 30cm
- Rich, organic loam. Sand, or light sandy soil, can be difficult to clean from the spears
Don’t over harvest in the first season as the asparagus needs to build a strong root system and store food reserves. For commercial production, the first season is often not harvested at all. Peak production occurs around year five, with plants remaining productive for a further 10 years.
Diseases:
- Rust
- Fusarium root rot
Insect pests:
More information:
- Asparagus From Seed Or Crown, Asparagus, Specialty Crop Profile: Asparagus, Asparagus Gaining in Popularity, Asparagus Beetles and Asparagus Beetles on Asparagus at Virginia Tech Extension
- Asparagus Insects And Their Control at NC State University Coop Extension
- Asparagus Beetle at Suite101
- Asparagus Beetle and Colorful Asparagus Beans at National Gardening Association
- Asparagus Beetles and Fusarium Wilt at University of California IPM
- Asparagus: Queen Of Spring Vegetables at University of Illinois Extension
Books:
- Grow the Best Asparagus: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-63 by Michael Higgins
- Asparagus: Its Culture For Home Use And For Market – A Practical Treatise On The Planting, Cultivation, Harvesting, Marketing, And Preserving Of Asparagus, With Notes On Its History And Botany by F.M. Hexamer
- The Asparagus Festival Cookbook by Jan Moore, Barbara Hafly, Glenda Hushaw, Jacqueline Zupo
- From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking With Farm-Fresh Produce by Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition
- The Mighty Asparagus a children’s story by Vladimir Radunsky