Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest?

28 February 2024

If you are a gardener like me, you must have thought about harvesting greens that you eat at restaurants at your house. One of these days, I was with my friends from my university, and we were discussing the importance of eating veggies for staying healthy. And they could not figure out the best ways to effectively do so. Reading my previous blog about cilantro, Laila asked me, “how to grow and harvest asparagus?”

Well, surely asparagus is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in your garden. But what a lot of people do not know is that it’s also one of the easiest once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.

In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about harvesting asparagus, from when to start, how to cut, and how often to do it. Additionally, I will also share some tips on how to store and freeze asparagus, as well as the benefits of eating this green wonder.

So, keep on reading till the end to learn more…

How Does Asparagus Grow?

Before I dive into the seemingly difficult process of how to harvest asparagus, let me help you grow it.

Asparagus is a perennial plant that grows from a crown of roots that can live for up to 20 years. The crown produces spears, which are the edible part of the plant, every spring.

The spears grow rapidly, sometimes up to an inch per day, and can reach a height of 6 to 10 inches. The spears are harvested before they open into fern-like leaves, which are edible and tough.

Asparagus grows best in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It prefers full sun and moderate temperatures and needs regular watering and fertilizing.

Asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but crowns are easier and faster to establish. Crowns are planted in trenches about 12 to 18 inches apart and covered with 2 to 3 inches of soil. As the spears emerge, more soil is added until the trench is filled

Benefits of Asparagus

Stop Motion Food GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Asparagus is not only tasty, but also healthy. It’s low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like spinach. It can help lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, support digestion, and prevent urinary tract infections.

Asparagus also contains a compound called asparagine, which is a natural diuretic that helps flush out excess fluids and salts from the body. Asparagus is also a good source of folate, which is essential for pregnant women and fetal development

When to Harvest Asparagus?

The first year after planting, you should not harvest any asparagus spears, as they need to grow and strengthen the root system.

The second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks.

The third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.

The best time to harvest asparagus is in the early morning when the spears are crisp and tender. You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall, and before the tips start to open up. If you wait too long, the spears will become woody and bitter.

How to Plant and Care for Asparagus?

Asparagus is a long-term investment that can reward you with years of delicious harvests. However, it requires some planning and preparation before planting.

Here are some steps to follow to plant and care for asparagus:

Choose the Day

Choose a sunny and well-drained spot in your garden, preferably with sandy or loamy soil. Avoid areas where water tends to pool or where weeds are hard to control. Asparagus also needs plenty of space, so make sure you have at least 4 to 5 feet between rows and 12 to 18 inches between plants.

Prepare the Soil

Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, and adjusting the pH to 6.5 to 7.5. You can use a soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. You may also need to add some fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10, to boost the phosphorus and potassium content.

Dig it Deep

Dig a trench about 8 to 12 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. You can make the trench longer or shorter depending on how many asparagus crowns you have. Asparagus crowns are the dormant roots of the plant that you can buy from nurseries or online. They usually have one-year-old or two-year-old crowns, which are more reliable and productive than seeds.

Fertilize

Spread some fertilizer along the bottom of the trench, about 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Then, cover the fertilizer with 2 to 3 inches of soil, forming a ridge in the center of the trench.

Placing the Plant

Place the asparagus crowns on top of the ridge, about 12 to 18 inches apart, with the buds facing up. The crowns should be slightly below the soil surface, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not bury them too deep, as this will delay the emergence of the spears.

Focus on the Crown

Cover the crowns with another 2 to 3 inches of soil, and water well. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil, until it is level with the ground. This will help protect the crowns from frost and weeds.

Add Mulch

Mulch the bed with straw, leaves, or wood chips, to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. You can also add some organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract, every few weeks during the growing season, to encourage healthy growth.

Keep in Mind

Do not harvest any asparagus spears in the first year, as they need to establish a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks. In the third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.

How to Harvest Asparagus?

Now, coming to the most important part that you wanted to know about. Let us talk about the ways to harvest asparagus!

To harvest asparagus, you need a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. You should cut the spears at the base, about an inch below the soil surface.

Be careful not to damage the crown or the emerging spears. You should also avoid cutting too many spears from one plant, as this will weaken the plant and reduce the yield. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least one-third of the spears on each plant.

You should harvest asparagus every day or every other day, depending on how fast the spears grow. You should stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thinner than a pencil, as this indicates that the plant is running out of energy.

You should then let the spears grow into ferns, which will replenish the crown and prepare it for the next season.

How to Store and Freeze Asparagus?

Unlike lettuce, which you can store for more than a week, asparagus is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. If you can’t eat it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To keep it fresh, you should trim the ends of the spears and stand them upright in a glass of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag.

If you want to preserve asparagus for longer, you can freeze it. To freeze asparagus, you should first wash and trim the spears, and then blanch them in boiling water for two to three minutes, depending on the thickness.

Blanching is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil.

After blanching, you should drain and cool the spears, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze asparagus for up to a year, and use it in soups, casseroles, or stir-fries.

How to Prevent and Treat Asparagus Pests and Diseases?

Asparagus is generally a hardy and resilient plant, but it can still suffer from some pests and diseases that can affect its growth and quality.

Here are some of the most common problems that affect asparagus plants, and how to prevent or treat them:

Asparagus beetles

These are small, black or red beetles that feed on the spears and the ferns, causing them to wilt and turn brown. They can also lay eggs on the spears, which hatch into larvae that chew on the stems and leaves.

To prevent asparagus beetles, you should keep the area around the plants clean and weed-free, and remove any old or damaged spears. To treat asparagus beetles, you can hand-pick them and their eggs, or spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Fusarium wilt

This is a fungal disease that infects the roots and the crowns of the plants, causing them to rot and die. It can also cause the spears to become yellow, twisted, and stunted. Fusarium wilt is more likely to occur in poorly drained, acidic, or infested soil.

To prevent fusarium wilt, you should plant disease-resistant varieties, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat fusarium wilt, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and apply fungicides to the soil.

Rust

This is another fungal disease that affects the ferns, causing them to develop orange or brown spots and pustules. Rust can reduce the vigor and yield of the plants, and make them more susceptible to other diseases. Rust is more likely to occur in humid, wet, or shady conditions.

To prevent rust, you should plant resistant varieties, space the plants well, and prune any excess or infected ferns. To treat rust, you should apply fungicides to the ferns, and avoid watering them from above.

Crown rot

This is a bacterial disease that causes the crowns and the bases of the spears to become soft, mushy, and foul-smelling. Crown rot can spread quickly and kill the plants. Crown rot is more likely to occur in wet, compacted, or poorly drained soil.

To prevent crown rot, you should plant healthy crowns, improve the drainage and aeration of the soil, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat crown rot, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and disinfect the tools and the soil.

Bonus: How to Cook and Enjoy Asparagus?

There are many ways to cook and enjoy asparagus, from steaming, boiling, roasting, grilling, to sautéing. The key is not to overcook it, as it will become mushy and lose its flavor.

You should cook asparagus until it is bright green and crisp-tender, which usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the method and the thickness of the spears.

You can season asparagus with salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, cheese, or any other condiments you like. You can also pair asparagus with eggs, bacon, ham, chicken, fish, pasta, rice, or salad. Asparagus is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can complement any meal.

Wrapping It Up!

Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable that you can grow and harvest in your own garden. It’s easy to care for, once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.

You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall and before the tips start to open up. You should cut the spears at the base and leave some on the plant to grow into ferns. It would be best to store asparagus in the refrigerator for later use.

And yes, you should also enjoy the many benefits and flavors of asparagus, by cooking it in various ways and pairing it with different dishes. Asparagus is a springtime delight that you don’t want to miss.

Learn More About:

Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

View all posts

How To Grow Tomatoes From Seed

If you are an avid tomato grower you're probably envious of all the different varieties that other growers talk about, but that you can't find transplants for in your area. In many cases, those growers are growing tomatoes from seed. Growing tomatoes from seed really isn't that difficult, as long as you understand a few basic things. Well, I will walk you through this process below. Read on. Why is it necessary to start tomato seeds early? Tomato seeds planted in the garden won't germinate until the ground is warm enough. What's the ideal ground temperature? They germinate best at temperatures in the 70-80 degree range. If you plant seeds directly into the ground, odds are the summer will be too short for tomatoes to become productive before the end of the growing season unless you live in one of the warmest climates in the US. The days to harvest number that is on a packageof tomato seeds assumes that you are using transplants. To decide if your area is warm enough to plant directly in the ground, add 30-50 days to that number. So if it says 90 days you would need 120-140 days of temperatures above 70 degrees to get your first ripe tomato if you plant the seeds in the ground! When should I start my seeds? Most people who are growing tomatoes from seed start 4 6 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in their area. You need to wait to plant the seedlings outdoors about 2 weeks after that date when the soil has warmed up to at least 50 degrees. The date you start growing tomatoes from seed can vary depending on the space you have available and the length of your growing season. First, you need to gather some important items: Containers: Start with clean, sterile containers to grow your tomato transplants in.Your local garden center or big box store should have seed starting kits that consist of a black plastic tray with peat pots or plastic inserts and a clear plastic dome cover that fits over the top. If you're only starting a few seeds, you may want to just plant them in paper or foam cups with holes punched in the bottoms. Many of us like to save money and reuse flats or recycle containers like plastic milk jugs for starting seeds. This is fine as long as you wash them thoroughly and then sanitize in a 10% bleach solution (1 cup bleach in 10 cups of water). Note: Be sure whatever container you use has drainage holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain out. Lights: You cannot grow a healthy transplant without proper light. Even a sunny, south-facing window is not really adequate. Using a led grow light or fluorescent light on a timer that it is on for 12 hours and then off for 12 hours, will ensure that when you are growing tomatoes from seed your plants get all the light they need to grow properly. You will need to plan a way to raise the lights so that the top leaves of the plants are 2- 3î below the lights. One method is to use a wire shelving unit. The chain that comes with a fluorescent shop light works perfectly to hang it from the shelf above your plants. Growing Media: Use fresh, sterile germination mix labeled for seed starting. These mixes are usually peat-based and do not contain garden soil. Tip: More than 50% of people who are growing tomatoes from seed for the first time lose their seedlings to damping-off disease. This fatal disease can literally wipe out your seedlings overnight. Starting with sterile containers and soil mix will greatly decrease the chance of your seedlings becoming infected. Read also: How To Choose The Right Containers For Your Container Garden Growing tomatoes from seed are the only way to have the very best tasting and old fashioned heirloom varieties which are not usually available as nursery started plants. Read also: Does Organic Gardening Improve Soil Quality?

Modern Home design ideas for crowded families

A house with many family members is hard to manage as everyone loves to have their own space. But the limited space can make it crowded by giving your home giving an ugly look. All thanks to modern ideas which have introduced several ideas for crowded families. It makes the house look arranged while keeping in mind adjustments. The look involves the latest trends and lifestyles to develop my sense of styling while keeping my mind comfortable. Apart from these comes your pets, for whom a small kennel door with a dog door could be placed on the lawn of your house. In this article, we will discuss modern home design ideas for crowded families. Ideal space for Teenagers A crowded family must have children and teenagers who demand their own space. However, providing each one of them with their separate rooms may not be possible. To overcome this solution, the idea of the shared bedroom can be considered. The design of the bedroom should focus on the needs of children according to their age. To create more space, bunk beds are the most flexible options, leaving you with some empty spaces to play around. Nowadays, study stable comes with multiples shelves fixed from the wall and can be closed when not in use while creating a good space-saving idea. These shelves are useful hacks for putting their stuff, toys, and books in a proper place. The sofa cum bed could also be turned on into a great option. The beds also come with lots of storage box options where new things, including sports or musical instruments, can be put on. Lastly, the wardrobe cabinet with multiple small shelves and space for hangers will store all their clothes methodically. If there are both boys and girls in a room, try keeping a neutral color of walls like calm grey, which would look pleasant without overly decorated. Give a multi-dimensional look to your dining room. For a home with a large number of people, there is much need for multifunctional spaces. The dining spaces could be transformed into a games room or a corner used as a reading place. You can place an armchair with bookshelves placed on the walls. One needs to focus on the preferences of family members for doing so. A television set could also be placed on the other side of the wall there with a lounge for entertainment purposes. You can add some masterpiece painting, vases, or wallpapers to give a modern look in your room. Place a dining table where your family can fit in have a meal together. The buffet tables or smart dining tables with extendable chairs are a great way to save space. Go for an open kitchen You can plan your dining room entrance just before the open kitchen as it will save a lot of space in the kitchen. The open kitchen doesn't make it look congested, and the dining room's access will recreate more space into it. It would be easy to serve food and won't create a mess around long pathways. You can place a covered shelves box or drawers in the wall and arrange all your cutleries there for storage options. Make sure to build cabinets below the kitchen slabs where you can store multiple ingredients along with a cylinder at the corner. Put your microwave in one corner and attach extended shelves or cabinets on the walls for keeping more utilities there. A larger counter place would eliminate high trafficking in a home where more than one person works. You can create a specific station in the kitchen for getting your work more organized. Turn out your lawn into a place to get together For having a good time, a lounging area can be considered an entertainment room option. The large family tries to do everything together, so the lawn or balcony could be placed with comfy diwan and sofa sets. One could turn it up as a garden by putting up many plants, and the place would be great for a mini picnic spot. You can also add bean bags or swings and decorate them with warm lighting to create a unique evening look. The place would be great for barbeques, or a small get-together. If you don't have much space, you can create a window seat and do partitions using some fabrics to create a visual barrier. Create congenial public spaces For your living thing, the best would be to go with L-shaped sofas. They are useful to handle the long stream of guests and can be placed with some more small seaters around. If you have a larger living space, you can break it into shorter sitting with cushions for private conversations. Make sure to use durable surfaces that would be durable and easy to clean the mess in a busy family. This setup will give a warm and comfortable space. You can also place a wall red sea aquarium to use the best of areas. Placing a wall aquarium will consume less space and it will be a center of attraction for everyone. Conclusion To avoid the mess, place a standard shoe stand. You can also use the garage's extra space as a storeroom by putting up the different things there. Utilize the basement of your house for this purpose. You can save more space by having shared bathrooms placed between the bedrooms. Read Also: 7 Ways to Add Character and Style to Your Home 5 Tips For Designing a Tiny House Design your Kitchen According to Your Budget and Work in Organized Manner How to Make Your Home Look Like You Hired An Interior Designer How to Make your Home Look Beautiful in the Upcoming Holidays

Learn Why Bosch ra1181 The Most Trusted router table in The Tool Industry

For woodworkers, buying a router is simply not enough. They need a woodwork machine also known as the router that is capable of providing all the basic functionalities along with some advanced features. If you are in search of the perfect router that would help you carry out your woodwork efficiently as well as smoothly then your search can end at Bosch RA1181.It is probably the most trusted router table in the tool industry. It is also the best pick when you are tight on budget. Why Bosch RA1181 the Best Choice? Bosch RA1181 is undoubtedly the most trusted router table in the tool industry. However, this statement is simply not enough to persuade people to buy this product. Hence, here are a few reasons which will clearly state why this router table is regarded as the most trusted one and why you should invest your money on this. The work area provided by the Bosch RA1181 is quite wide. Also, this router table has an aluminum fence along with MDF face plates as well as aluminum router mounting plate. This router table has a set of 3 mounting plates. These factors contribute to providing strong support as well as can help you in carrying out your job in a smooth manner. In spite of the low cost, Bosch RA1181possess all the necessary router mounting hardware that you expect in a costly router. Hence, there is no reason to say no this cost-effective woodwork machine. A dual-outlet with 15 Ampere switch is also present in order to provide overload protection. Two flexible feather boards along with 1/16-inch fence shims are also present in this cost-effective woodwork machine. One of the most important features that people expect as well as want too to be present in the router is the dust collection system. This system can be found in Bosch RA1181. Because of the dust collection system, a clean working environment can surely be expected. This router is designed for versatility thereby allowing you to work with different types of materials. It is also built to provide precision with every cut. Also, this router table is completely adjustable to allow various pieces to fit in. All the important features that you can expect in a costly router such as clear adjustable guard, starter pin as well as guard, etc. are all present in the Bosch RA1181. It is because of all the features that people who have invested in this router table have been jubilant with its performance. One of the factors that make Bosch RA1181 the most trusted router table in the tool industry is customer satisfaction. This router table has all the necessary features that any woodworker would like to have in a woodwork machine. On top of that, it is not too expensive. Thus, is suitable for all those people who are looking for cheap yet powerful woodwork machine.