ENCYCLOPLANTS

Asparagus plants are a fairly easy to grow vegitable, but best to start the plant from already grown from a nursery as seeds take 2 years to produce a crop. 

Pests for the Asparagus are commonly Slugs, Rust and Asparagus Beetles.

 

To grow asparagus plants you need an already well prepared bed which is weed free and well enriched with compost or manure. the Asparagus bed also needs to be well sheltered and in a sunny location for best results.

 

once you have the plants you need to dig a trech about 20-25cm deep and wide leaving the dug mounds of dirt on the side to build up around the plant as it grows. place the plant in the trench and sift fine soil all around the base of the crown and as the plant grows build up the soil until level with the surrounding ground. Keep weeds at bay for the first 2 years until the Asparagus plants have been well established. Be sure to cut the plant down to 5cm above the ground in the autumn as the plant begin to yellows.

 

Asparagus come as either male or female plants, male plants sre the prefered choice as female plants spend a lot of energy producing seed pods.

 

Male varieties include 'Grojim', 'Fantasy' and 'Jersey Night Improved'. There are some older styles which include 'Mary Washington', 'Connover's Colossal' and 'Gijnlim'.