Asparagus is one of the most popular herbaceous plants found all over the world, this perennial plant is popular for its detoxifying potentials and other nutritional benefits.
Asparagus belongs to the plant family Asparagaceae and it originates from Europe, North Africa, and West Asia making it a very popular plant to grow in almost all parts of the world.
Asparagus are monoecious plants, that is, each plant has either a male or female reproductive organ and the male plants are known to grow larger and also have a higher productivity level as compared to the female counterpart.
Asparagus plants have the ability to reach a height of 39 to 59 inches and they have multi-branched, feathery, fern-like leaves that make them very unique as plants and they develop a lateral, fibrous root system.
This herbaceous plant is one of those plants that everyone should put in their effort to learn to grow as they are very rich in nutrients that can boost healthiness and it is also rich in minerals such as potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and iron.
Gardeners love this plant because of its highly productive nature and characteristics and it is a perennial plant that can produce for about 20 years if properly managed.
The asparagus plant has laxative and aphrodisiac properties which make it a plant that is highly beneficial to human health and it has been popularly used in different traditional medicines around the globe.
Growing your own asparagus plant can be a time-consuming and yet lucrative thing to do since it takes about 2 – 3 years for this lovely herbaceous plant to reach maturity but since they produce for about two decades, it is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner or gardener.
Are you a really big fan of asparagus as a part of your diet? Do you want to learn the simple and convenient ways involved in growing asparagus to maturity?
Are you looking for the perfect steps to follow in growing your asparagus plant? If the answer to any on these questions is yes then this is the right place for you to be. In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step guide involved in growing Asparagus plants. Read and Enjoy!
When is the right time to plant Asparagus?
Before deciding on growing your asparagus plant, having a very clear and god idea of the right time in which planting is to be done is very essential.
Asparagus plants, Asparagus officinalis, thrive well in soils that are well-draining and of good pH and the survival of your plat will be dependent on the conditions associated with its growth and ability to thrive.
Generally, asparagus plants have the ability to propagate through seeds and cuttings and both of them will work perfectly well for you. However, we will be dealing with the easiest and straightforward way to get your asparagus plant started.
The best time to plant the asparagus plant is during spring. Since asparagus plants go into dormancy prior to this period and are usually harvested during this period of the year – this is the perfect time to sow your asparagus cuttings.
The cuttings from which asparagus plants germinate from are generally regarded as “crowns” so you should be delighted to get this done with so much ease. As soon as the ground can be worked in early spring, planting asparagus cuttings can commence.
How to grow Asparagus
Growing asparagus plants is very easy; however, maintaining them can be the most demanding part of the whole growth process of this wonderful plant.
This plant is quite popular among gardeners and it has been considered to be of great essence around the world.
In this section of this article, we will take you through a step-by-step guide on how you can grow your asparagus plant to maturity and also get the best production possible. The steps involved in growing asparagus include:
Seed collection/purchase:
The first thing to do when growing your asparagus plant from seed is to either purchase seeds from a reliable source or collect seeds from matured plants. Make sure to collect as much seed as possible.
Soak the seeds:
The collected seeds should be soaked in water for about 24 hours so as to improve the germination potential of the seeds. This will help soften the outer layer of the seed and prepare it ahead of the germination process.
Prepare a potting soil:
Fill a container with potting soil or moistened peat to grow your asparagus seeds. The soaked seeds should then be placed in the prepared soils and allowed to germinate. A growing flat or peat cup will work beautifully well at this stage.
Allow the seeds germinate:
Water the soil regularly and keep as moist as possible – avoid overwatering. The plant should begin to germinate after some weeks and once they begin to germinate, pay attention to them and allow it to reach a height of about 12 inches before introducing to the outdoor condition – this is known as hardening off.
Harden off the seedling:
Once the plant has reached a height of 12 inches they should be exposed to the outdoor condition gradually as the period of day increases.
This will make these plants better suited for the environmental condition and it will also prepare them ahead of transplanting making it easier for them to withstand stress.
Transplant to a temporary garden bed:
Prepare a temporary garden bed for the asparagus plant just after the last spring frost. The asparagus seedlings should be transplanted to the bed so as to be able to identify the male and female asparagus plants – male plants are more productive so you should get rid of the female plants. Once this is done transplanting to the permanent site is then advisable.
NB: the above-mentioned steps are not recommended for those who want to grow their asparagus from the crowns. Just get a crown from a growing asparagus plant not more than a year old as they perform better than those from other plants.
Site selection:
The site for growing your asparagus plant is of great essence and you must pay very good attention to it. The site to be chosen should have a soil pH of about 6.5, must be well-draining, and they do well in soil that gets partial sun.
Make sure the soil is not soggy or waterlogged as this can enhance exposure to diseases. You can as well grow your plant in raised beds if the soil condition cannot be met.
Soil preparation:
Asparagus plants do not do well under competition and cannot stand the presence of weeds (unwanted plants) around.
Make sure that weeds are eliminated and gotten rid of from the site as soon as possible and you can also add manure or compost to the soil to improve its quality.
The soil should be loosened to a depth of about 12 inches to ensure the proper rooting of the asparagus plant.
Dig trenches:
If you are planning on planting more than one asparagus, it is important to dig several trenches. Each trench should have a depth of about 6 – 8 inches and a width of 12 – 18 inches and the spacing should be 3 feet between plants.
This will enhance the proper rooting of the crowns and will protect the plant from the effect of weed control to be practiced annually.
Soak the crowns:
Before planting your asparagus crowns, it is important to prepare the crowns by soaking them in lukewarm water briefly. Make sure this is done just before planting commences.
Plant the crown or seedling:
Just before planting, make a ridge that is about 2 inches high at the center of the trench and the asparagus to be planted should be placed at the top of the mound. The root should be evenly spread out at the sides of the mound to ensure easy penetration into the soil.
Cover the trench:
The trench should be properly filled with soil and carefully stamped to get rid of the air pocket. Make sure that the soil is not too compacted so as to allow for the easy movement of water to the plant base. Make a mound at the base of the asparagus plant to avoid water settling at the plant’s base.
Water regularly:
The asparagus plant should be carefully watered and this should be done from time to time. This can be done daily very early in the morning so as to ensure that the water dries out very quickly and prevent fungal attack.
Practice mulching:
Add mulch to the base of the plant to prevent the development of weed and also help to retain soil moisture. Asparagus detest weed so this is very essential for their growth and development.
Conclusion
Growing your own asparagus plant will go a long way in helping you achieve the best in our garden and you can be assured of a good result if the steps above are followed to letter. Have a nice time gardening!
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
