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Look what I have!!! I planted asparagus from seed last year and waited and waited for one of these babies to pop up. I finally gave up when a funny little fern-like plant came up instead. I was actually going to pull it out when I noticed that there were matching ones in all the other places I planted the seeds so I left them and waited for a sprig of asparagus to come up anyway. Well, not having grown this before, my wait was in vain. The first year you won't get the actual spears, you only get the plants. Then this year I got one or two of these near each of the mother plants. The instructions say to dig them up and lay them in shallow trenches covering them with more dirt as they grow but I am bucking the system and doing it my own way. I planted them in rows and spaced them appropriately so I am leaving them right where they are. They are in one of the shallower 4x10 raised beds and I plan to leave them there for all eternity. These things grow wild on ditch banks all over Idaho and I figure I can grow them without too much fuss if mother nature can do it with no effort at all. I won't be able to harvest any of the spears this year either. I will let them go to seed to propagate more plants and maybe a very light harvest next season. By the fourth year I should be good to go. I would love to have a much larger space for this veggie as my whole family loves it so maybe I will dedicate a spot in the new (humongous) row garden. We will have to see. For now I was excited to see my patience pay off. Yeah!
I LOVE ASPARAGUS TOO. MY HUSBAND GREW UP IN MI AND SAID IT GREW IN A FIELD NEXT TO HIS GRANDMA'S HOUSE. I KNOW YOU ARE THRILLED WITH YOUR PLANTS. HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!
ReplyDeletethats great! let us know if the easier method is a success.
ReplyDeleteCool. I love asparagus. My dad and I used to drive around the country roads and pick it every spring.
ReplyDeleteYum- I love fresh asparagus, there's nothing like it-I'm sure your's will be well worth the wait!
ReplyDeleteCool!....I would be excited to see that spear, too. I plan to plant some asparagus roots this year in a new garden area we are working on.
ReplyDeleteHooray Heather~~ Congrats on the success of your asparagus endeavor. Don't you just love it when a plant says, "Well, okay. You've done a pretty good job of nurturing me. I guess I'll put down roots and stay awhile."
ReplyDeleteI planted asparagus roots three years ago. They were surprisingly inexpensive. Last year I picked several spears early in the season, then (self control please) left the others to grow. I love the soft ferny look and they helped to curtain off an area that needed it. I've picked a few spears this year but they're only now waking up. The best way to eat them is immediately after harvest. They're sweet and crunchy. As I'm sure you know, home-grown are soooo much better than store-bought.
And how is that "humongous" row garden? :)
I am super jealous of you right now. I just bought $5 worth from the grocery store for dinner tomorrow night. JUST THINK if I had my own plants. I might have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY SPRING
That's awesome...I started some seeds a few weeks ago and am patiently waiting...and as you can tell from my blog posts I am not a patient person...so you can imagine how I'm going to take the 3 season wait for harvest-able asparagus :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I can't wait to see that in my garden! I planted some root clusters just last weekend. You are definitely more patient than I am to try it from seed, though. When I was little my friends and I used to pick it along the banks of Indian Creek in Canyon County. It was the best!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Heather! Looks like your asparagus is a huge success! I can't believe you did it from seed!
ReplyDeleteNeat! I'm sure they will be worth the wait. We love asparagus around here but so far haven't done much with growing it. I need to get on the ball and get some in the ground!
ReplyDeleteYour asparagus is so exciting! I hope to expand my vegetable gardening soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I know asparagus can take its time. Isn't it great when patience pays off. If only I had more patience :)
ReplyDeleteAsparagus is an interesting plant. I read a bit about it years ago when I planted some in another garden. I read that asparagus comes in male and female plants, even read something about it being capable of changing from one to the other. Have read that the male plants have the best flavor. Of course, the female is the one that makes berries/seeds. I think there is one variety (or maybe more by now) that is all male plants. Probably have to grow it from roots.
ReplyDeleteCool!! I love asparagus and have been meaning to order some crowns. You're extra patient to grow from seed!
ReplyDelete