Published on: 25 January 2021
Last Updated on: 24 December 2024
There is nothing that beats the taste of a freshly picked tomato from your garden compared to produce that is bought from a grocery store. Growing your vegetables in the comfort of your garden is one of the activities that balance indulgence and practicality. Aside from the convenience, growing your vegetables allows you to get more nutrition as well.
Vegetables start to lose their nutrients the moment they are harvested, and their quality decreases as sugars will turn into starches. Hence, if you are aiming for veggies with the best nutrition, try growing your own. That being said, here are a few of the best vegetables that are best to grow in your garden.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a vegetable that is renowned for its red firm stalk and sour taste. Like celery, it is edible, especially when you add a lot of sugar to it. Although it is technically a vegetable, it is commonly used in sweet and tart recipes. There are also different types of rhubarb that you may choose to grow for personal consumption.
Rhubarb best grows in well-draining and fertile soil that is abundant in organic matter. Constant moisture is necessary, but it doesn’t like too much wetness. These plants spread out; therefore, it should be placed 3-4 feet apart from each other when planting. It does not contain a lot of essential nutrients, but it is an excellent source of vitamin K1.
Tomatoes
Fresh, homegrown tomatoes are one of the few reasons many gardeners decide to get into gardening. Nothing could match eating a perfectly ripe tomato from your backyard. It is also unbelievably good for us, with it being rich in vitamins A, B6, and C, niacin, fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, and the antioxidant lycopene.
Tomatoes are ideal for growers with small balconies or gardens as they do not require too much space to grow. They typically take 12 weeks until they can be harvested. Aside from this very speedy growing period, its plant can produce tomatoes daily for up to six years. It would be best to watch out for tomato horns as these large caterpillars can be a problem.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable that belongs to the cole crop family along with kohlrabi, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. It grows best during the cold season of the year. It is known to be high in vitamins A, B6, C, magnesium, calcium, and iron. As a matter of fact, a cup of raw broccoli gives 130 percent of a person’s regular vitamin C requirement.
Broccoli is best to grow during early spring and fall and can be set in an in-ground garden or container. Place these plants 18 inches apart from each other. You may also want to get a location that has fertile soil and has easy access to water. A moisturized soil is also best for broccoli, therefore water it for 1 to 1.5 inches every week.
Red Bell Pepper
Most of the gardeners would agree that every time they planned their vegetable garden, one of the plants they want to include is a bell pepper. Who would not? Peppers are great in all types of dishes, cooked and raw. Red bell peppers are high in vitamins A, B6, C, riboflavin, and potassium. You may want to take note that a cup of it contains 93% of the required vitamin A and 317% of vitamin C daily allowance.
Although growing this vegetable is not as problematic compared to other plants, temperature plays an important role. They may be easy to grow, but its plant care, especially in the early stages, is crucial. Bell peppers flourish in warm seasons, and it is vital to be sure that the chance of frost in your area is long gone since frost might hinder pepper growth.
Beets
Beets are one of the vegetables that can grow quickly and do not require you to wait long before you can harvest them. Apart from its roots, you can also eat its green tops, making it a dual-purpose crop. Young beets can be added to a salad, while the larger ones can be sauteed as a side dish. Beetroots are very rich in vitamin C, potassium, and iron.
Beets are the best option for northern gardeners as they can survive near-freezing temperatures and frost. For beginners, it is best to look for bolt-resistant, especially in warm weather. You can also start harvesting them once they are about the size of a tennis or golf ball as larger roots may be woody and tough.
Takeaway
Growing and maintaining your vegetable garden may seem overwhelming to some people, but it is easier than it sounds. Even if you only have a small garden, you may still be able to grow the vegetables we provided in this article. Additional guides can also be found all over the internet.
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If you’re unfamiliar with the spray drying process, you might be wondering what it’s used for and how exactly it works. Plus, you’ll learn about some applications you’re probably already using.
How does a spray dryer work?
A slurry is a mixture of liquid solution and other solid materials. Companies like Elan Technology use a spray dryer to produce dry, granular powders from this mixture. This is achieved by applying the spray dryer, which uses hot air coming from a rotating wheel or nozzle to rapidly dry the slurry.
Why is it used?
In simple terms, a spray dryer is used to turn a liquid into a powder. There is a multitude of applications for spray drying that stretch across many different industries. One application that you’ve definitely seen, heard of, and likely even used before is powdered milk products.
Milk is 80% to 90% water, which means spray drying is an effective way to reduce its bulk down and make it last longer on the shelf. Using spray drying for milk products allows milk to be taken to areas where it would otherwise be unreachable.
Spray drying is also used to make whey protein supplements and countless other products, along with instant coffee and corn starch.
Outside of the food industry, it is used in the manufacturing of soap products, detergents, fertilizer, resins, and mineral ores and clays.
Is it like dehydrating?
Spray drying is similar to the traditional dehydration process (usually used for solid foods) in that it applies hot air in order to remove the water from a substance. The liquid is rapidly dried out, producing a fine powder that will later likely return to a liquid when the end-user adds backwater (like with powdered milk).
How old is the process?
Spray drying is nothing new. And although still very prevalent today, the concept of it has remained unchanged for decades. It is a patented process and is traceable back to 1872. Samuel Percy is considered to be the inventor as he was the first to describe the process. However, it was 50 years before the process was fine-tuned and finally began being used in commercial manufacturing.
While it sounds simple, it does take a bit of science to get the perfect temperature to produce a usable end powder.
A certain amount of moisture has to be removed, or the powder will be clumpy due to some water being left over.
Spray drying is a very useful technique that is in place in countless industries. Without it, people would not be able to enjoy powdered milk, instant coffee, or many kinds of detergent—like the most common dishwasher and clothing detergent products.
Samuel may have been the first to invent the process, but thousands of companies use it today. While the machines have been upgraded to work faster and produce more product, the basic concept has remained the same, and thanks to 50 years prior to fine-tuning, it always will.
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
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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.
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When push comes to a shove and you have guests arriving in an hour, you better believe that you will turn into a superhuman and manage to clean your apartment in less than sixty minutes. Even if you won’t have the time to do a proper thorough cleanup, you can do a lot in an hour to make your home presentable, but you have to be efficient and light on your feet. Let’s get to it.
Spotless Living Room
You will need 10-15 minutes to get this area tidy and you should be as meticulous as possible without getting stuck on details. The first thing to do is to de-clutter quickly – clothing, trash, cosmetics, books, get it out of the way and into their rightful place. You don’t have to go back and forth, but organize stuff into different piles and then get them to their designated places as you move through the house. After that, straighten everything as much as possible, fluff the pillows, do a super quick round of dusting and use wet wipes to wipe your coffee table clean. Finally, get your vacuum cleaner out and run through the room, but do it for five minutes tops, you’ve still got other matters to attend to.
Next up – The Dining Room
If you plan on making dinner for your guest or just serving snacks, don’t neglect the dining room in your cleaning spree. If you’ve got a mountain of stuff on your dining table, the first priority is to remove it stat (this is also the time to throw away all the trash from the living room). Whip out a new tablecloth and make sure that chairs are straightened and free from any bags and clothes hanging from them (nobody is impressed by chairdrobes). Scan for dust and get it out of the way, vacuum the area super quickly and if you’ve got windows, wipe them clean with a coffee filter (just give it a try, it works). Get the glasses and plates, snacks, and drinks on the table and the dining room is prepped and guest-ready.
Now to the Kitchen
Chances are you’ve moved all the dirty dishes from the dining room and living room into the kitchen and now it’s time to pop them in the dishwasher. You don’t have to get them clean and arranged right away, though it might be a good idea to let the dishwasher do its magic while you’re cleaning around, that way, you’ll have more clean dishes at the ready. Stovetop and countertops should be in your focus – clean them as efficiently as possible without losing too much time. Then move to the sink, wipe it clean and you can also put a few slices of lemon into the garbage disposal, it will make the entire kitchen smell fresh and clean. Sweep the floors and if your trash can is full, take it outside, so that it doesn’t stink up your work.
Then We Have the Bathroom
This is one step you shouldn’t overlook since your guests will definitely need to use your bathroom eventually. Get to the toilet, spray it with a cleaner and let it sit while you’re busy with other things. Make your mirror spotless and do the same with any shelves you’ve got around it – wet wipes will do the trick here nicely. Tidy the shower curtain, wash the bathtub with hot water and rearrange the toiletries to look neat. If you’ve got a shower, wipe it clean with a rag or microfiber cloth. After that, get back to your toilet, scrub it quickly, flush, and voila, you’re done. Take the trash out too, get out clean hand towels and for a final touch, light an incense stick to make everything smell better.
Yes, you can clean your home in under an hour, and now you’ve got a system to work by. Honestly, sometimes it’s easier to hire a part-time cleaning lady than to scramble and clean when you’ve got someone coming over. There’s nothing wrong with getting some help when you’ve got a packed schedule and if you’re thinking about it, you can browse through your options at helpling.com.sg/maids to see if you find a suitable match. If not, we suggest finding time to clean a bit every day, it will be much easier to tackle chores one day at a time.
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