I mentioned previously that growing asparagus requires more time and effort than many other plantings. I just learned this from the helpful folks at the ranch and farm supply center. You don’t just plant asparagus and then start picking the delicious, healthy, green vegetables soon thereafter. It actually requires over a year to get them going and about three years before you’ll have anything to pick.
You begin as you would with other starter plants, but the seeds will become “crowns.” These crowns must be nurtured for about a year before they can be transplanted into the ground. Once transplanted, they may take up to three years to produce asparagus. The good news is that once they take off, they’re very fruitful and should produce well for the next 10-20 years.
Asparagus is a bit of an investment of time and effort, but it seems well worth it to me since it’s one of my favorite vegetables and I’ll be able to enjoy it for the next several years.
Do you like asparagus? Do you think it’s worth the trouble?
Another tip that you may find helpful is in regard to covering new plantings due to cold temperatures overnight or due to frost. Many people suggest using plastic, but I recently learned that plastic bags or plastic sheeting do not retain heat as once thought. Also, plastic can smother plants. They need to “breathe.” Your best bet is to use containers turned upside over plants and secured into the soil or alternatively, to cover sprouts and tender plants with sheets or other fabric that isn’t too heavy.
I hope this stuff isn’t too basic for anyone. I’m sure we have a few green thumbs amongst us, but I admit I’m still learning as I go with this garden stuff. I like to share what I find in case it might be helpful to others.
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