But our little asparagus patch produced enough spears for a family meal!
There's nothing like the first vegetable of the spring!
I put in more crowns (roots) last year, and
I am putting in more crowns this year in hopes
that over the next few years that we'll get enough for several meals.
Some places say to harvest after the second year, some after the third. The best rule I've heard is don't harvest anything smaller than your pinkie finger the first two years.
Anything smaller you have to leave to mature for the following year.
This is my fourth year for my first patch, so I should get almost 6 weeks of picking.
I don't have any pictures, but if you let a spear go, it becomes a large feathery plant as a male or berries as a female. After it feathers and berries, it becomes inedible, mildly toxic and can even be a skin irritant; but it protects the underlying shoots for the following year.
In the early, early spring, you cut back all of the dry foliage to the ground and get rid of it incase it has any beetle eggs.
As for the The beetles, I just hand-pick and put them into soapy water.
If you have any patience, it's well worth it. Fresh asparagus from your yard is nothing like what comes from in the store.
~Jen
*image from gardengate magazine
I do remember fresh asparagus, handpicked from the yard, at our very first home. Handsome and I love asparagus and it was an annual treat from our little farmhouse's well-established bed. It will continue to reward you for your hard work now, and eventually, it will almost take care of itself!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
xoxo
Donna
That is so cool. I am starting my garden in the next few weeks. Sp exciting, good for you.
ReplyDeleteZizette
no wonder it can cost so much in the grocery! I have heard it is alot of work, but so well worth it, looks like your patience has paid off! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteHope it will be delicious and worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteOh how delicious! :o)
ReplyDeleteI am hosting a give a way tomorrow.
Please drop by.
It will be fun! :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia
We LOVE our aspargus and have always had a little patch in the garden!! You are right, it is well worth the wait. Since we moved 5 years ago, and had to restart, this year looks like it will be pretty good. I usually cut it in bite size pieces and put in a two qt casserole. Add about r tbs of water and microwave for 7 or so minutes. Then I season it and add a little butter. So Yummy and so good for us!! Thanks for sharing Jen. Blessings, Linda
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't realize that asparagus was so time consuming. Good for you though! Pretty soon you will have a bounty of asparagus. Love asparagus!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you! Asparagus is amazingly good for the body. It contains a supply of protein called histones which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth which means it fights the cells that we don't want growing...Cancer!
ReplyDeleteThe Elements of Materia Medica', edited in1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.
Sorry for the novel but I thought you might be interested. Keep that asparagus coming!
Shanna@revampedfrenchmaison
I love asparagus. The selection of asparagus in Michigan is blah. I'd love to have some fresh homegrown asparagus out of my backyard. :)
ReplyDeleteI love asparagus, and right now in the UK it is everywhere in the shops. My fav is roasting them with lemon and butter...so yummy. Popping over from the DDNA tour, will be back for more.
ReplyDeleteOMG, my favorite. You are right, it takes about 4 years for the stuff to get "settled in" but then you will be blessed with such abundance year after year. Sea Witch
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! My hubby just planted some this year so maybe we'll get to eat some in 4 years or so!
ReplyDeleteYay for asparagus! I also planted some a few years ago and boy was it LABOR INTENSIVE!! But the reward is incredible. It just forces you to get ultra creative with ways to prepare cause it is a mega producer. Enjoy.
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