Asparagus is a perennial plant or herb from the family Asparagaceae. The plant grows from a rhizome underground, commonly referred to as the crown.
Scientific name: Asparagus officinalis
Common Name: Asparagus
Plant Description
Numerous shoots sprout from the crown and emerge above the ground and this is the part that is harvested and eaten.
The shoots or asparagus spears are harvested when they are immature and are still tender and crisp, once they have grown to between 15 and 20 cm above the ground. If spears are allowed to grow out beyond this point they harden and produce strong stems and branches and have fern like leaves.
The asparagus plant can grow to over two meters tall. From the branches small red berries will form and these develop into the seeds used for propagation. When the plant goes dormant in late autumn or early winter, the branches can be cut back and collected for the seeds attached to them.
Uses
Asparagus is eaten as a vegetable boiled, steamed, fried or raw in salads. It is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, E and K also contains high levels of folate, calcium, iron and protein. Is said to help prevent kidney stones. Asparagus is also blanched and sold in cans.Soil Requirements and Preparation
Prior to planting do a representative soil sampling and analysis of the field that is to be planted. Asparagus can remain productive, on the same patch of land, for 15 years. For this reason, soil preparation is very important. Asparagus does best on sandy and sandy loam soils. It can be planted on soils with a pH of between six and seven.
A month before planting soil should be ripped to a depth of at least 600 mm to loosen the soil. If soils are too acid and the pH must be adjusted, then lime should be added to bring the pH to above six. The soils are now deep ploughed and turned to between 400 mm and 500 mm.
Your preplant organic fertilizer can now be worked into the soil as well as the lime. A month later when you are ready to plant, apply your preplant chemical fertilizer and mix this into the top 20 cm of soil with a disc plough. This also cleans and levels your planting area and gets rid of any weeds that have taken hold. You are now ready to draw your planting furrows and start planting your asparagus crowns.