community,
Hopefully all readers received a share of the recent rain and tanks and dams are full or close to it. Unfortunately, water restrictions are still in place in many council regions and so many gardeners are grateful for any rain that falls on their patch. Asparagus crowns are now available in the nurseries. Asparagus spears quickly degrade after picking, do not store well for very long, and have noticeably better flavour and retain more nutrients when fresh. In addition, asparagus is a perennial and plants last for many years, so it is one crop that really is worth growing at home. Asparagus can be grown from seed, but will take longer to produce a useful crop than if grown from crowns. Asparagus crowns should be planted in late winter to early spring, while they are dormant, into free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Dig a trench about 15-20cm deep and 30cm wide and add plenty of well-rotted manure and some complete fertiliser and cover with about 5cm of soil. Hold the plant so that roots hang downwards and the crown is facing upwards. The roots are quite fleshy and will grow again easily, so cut them back if they are damaged. Place the crown in the trench on a little mound of soil so that the roots are spread evenly. Plant the crowns about 40cm apart and cover over crowns and roots with about 5cm of soil so that the trench is partly filled. As the new growth appears gradually fill the trench with soil but don’t fully cover the new shoots. This encourages optimum growth and helps maintain strong upright plants. Asparagus can also be planted into single holes or a couple of crowns can be grown in a big pot. Water well once planted, so the air pockets get away from the roots. To help the plants develop a strong root system, don’t begin cutting the spears until the second year. Asparagus is a hungry crop and needs plenty of organic matter such as animal manures. At this time of year, you can continue successive plantings of winter lettuce, radish, spring onions and long day onions such as Creamgold, Brown Spanish and Mild Red. Also ensure winter vegies receive regular water and keep on with preparing beds for spring planting by digging in plenty of compost and manure/fertiliser.
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Hopefully all readers received a share of the recent rain and tanks and dams are full or close to it.
Unfortunately, water restrictions are still in place in many council regions and so many gardeners are grateful for any rain that falls on their patch.
Asparagus crowns are now available in the nurseries.
Asparagus spears quickly degrade after picking, do not store well for very long, and have noticeably better flavour and retain more nutrients when fresh.
In addition, asparagus is a perennial and plants last for many years, so it is one crop that really is worth growing at home.
Asparagus can be grown from seed, but will take longer to produce a useful crop than if grown from crowns.
Asparagus crowns should be planted in late winter to early spring, while they are dormant, into free draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Asparagus crowns should be planted in late winter to early spring.
Dig a trench about 15-20cm deep and 30cm wide and add plenty of well-rotted manure and some complete fertiliser and cover with about 5cm of soil.
Hold the plant so that roots hang downwards and the crown is facing upwards.
The roots are quite fleshy and will grow again easily, so cut them back if they are damaged.
Place the crown in the trench on a little mound of soil so that the roots are spread evenly.
Plant the crowns about 40cm apart and cover over crowns and roots with about 5cm of soil so that the trench is partly filled.
As the new growth appears gradually fill the trench with soil but don’t fully cover the new shoots.
This encourages optimum growth and helps maintain strong upright plants.
Asparagus can also be planted into single holes or a couple of crowns can be grown in a big pot.
Water well once planted, so the air pockets get away from the roots.
To help the plants develop a strong root system, don’t begin cutting the spears until the second year.
Asparagus is a hungry crop and needs plenty of organic matter such as animal manures.
At this time of year, you can continue successive plantings of winter lettuce, radish, spring onions and long day onions such as Creamgold, Brown Spanish and Mild Red.
Also ensure winter vegies receive regular water and keep on with preparing beds for spring planting by digging in plenty of compost and manure/fertiliser.
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