Asparagus
How do I sow asparagus outdoors?
To sow asparagus outdoors, we recommend doing so in spring, when the soil has warmed up. Prepare the soil by ploughing it deeply and adding compost to improve fertility. Make sure the soil is well drained to prevent root rot.
Create trenches 20 cm deep, spaced 30 cm apart. Place the asparagus seeds at a depth of 5 cm, spacing them 5 cm apart. Then cover them with fine soil and tamp lightly.
Be sure to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which can take several weeks. Once the plants are well established, thin them out, keeping only the most vigorous, spaced 30 cm apart.
Asparagus are perennial plants that require little maintenance once established. Make sure you protect them from weeds by mulching the soil and water them regularly, especially during dry periods.
When should asparagus be harvested?
To grow asparagus naturally, it's essential to know when to harvest. Asparagus can be harvested in spring, generally from April until June. It is important not to pull up the stalks, but to cut them gently at the base using a sharp knife, as soon as they reach a size of around 15-20 cm. We recommend harvesting the asparagus every 2-3 days to encourage the production of new stalks and extend the harvesting period. Once harvested, asparagus can be kept in the fridge for a maximum of 2 to 3 days. It's best to store them in a perforated plastic bag to prevent them going soft. For longer storage, it's best to freeze them after peeling and blanching in boiling water for a few minutes. This way, you can enjoy the delicious asparagus from your garden even after the harvest period.
Asparagus
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Liliaceae
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Perennial
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Challenging
- Adult Height : 150 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Plant Spacing : 30 cm
- Row Spacing : 30 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Sandy
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Division