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Post by chickenfarmer on Dec 30, 2005 18:51:59 GMT -6
Can anyone help? I 'd like to put an asparagus bed in this year... Problem is I know absolutley nada about growing these veggies. I have already decided I'd like to put them in a raised bed... Questions: 1. Do they any specia soil ammendements.? 2. How far apart should i plant? 3. Any special varities grow good in the south? Any help will be appreciated. Like I said I know nothing except how to cook em.
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Dec 30, 2005 19:26:38 GMT -6
When I planted asparagus about 15 years ago, I planted them about 1 foot apart in the existing soil. Unfortunately it was at a rental house and I forgot to dig them up and bring with with we moved to a different house. I was told to not pick them the first year. I don't know how they turned out. The year we lived there, they looked real healthy.
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Post by Laura on Dec 30, 2005 20:04:16 GMT -6
I Love spear grass. We have several places here to cut it wild..all we have to do is remember where it is..
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Post by seadog on Dec 30, 2005 22:29:56 GMT -6
Asparagus is pretty easy to grow, it grows wild out here , but we used to grow it in Northern Minnesota too. It likes a fertile soil and a neutral to slightly acid ph but will produce in less than optimal conditions. you can buy crowns from a nursery or catalog or you can take another year and raise the crowns yourself from seed. I'd raise them from seed if you're really serious about putting up some asparagus, but crowns if you just want a few meals. I don't know about varieties for the south, I've grown "Martha Washington", but there are some newer hybrids that might be good for the south.
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Post by lilsparrow on Dec 31, 2005 22:35:35 GMT -6
Hmmmm, this sounds really good. I love asparagus! I remember it used to grow wild in WI too, if you could just remember where before it went to seed!!! What will I need to do to prep REALLY clay soil in AL for a bed?
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Post by douglas on Jan 1, 2006 3:15:45 GMT -6
I would go with the roots when they come out in the stores in spring. Spread the roots out like the way a spider would look and be careful not to break them because they are brittle. Make sure the pointed end is up. Give them a good drink. Seed is ok to plant too but it will take much longer to develop as far as size.
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Post by chickenfarmer on Jan 1, 2006 11:58:56 GMT -6
Wher can you get asparagus seeds? I've never seen that in catalogs.
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Post by Songbird on Jan 1, 2006 12:13:55 GMT -6
I love asparagus too! Maybe I'll try some this year.
I'll be interested to read the answer to DAP's question...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2006 6:49:49 GMT -6
Hmmmm, this sounds really good. I love asparagus! I remember it used to grow wild in WI too, if you could just remember where before it went to seed!!! What will I need to do to prep REALLY clay soil in AL for a bed? Lots of organic matter!! Gather up as much as you can and work it in!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2006 7:09:05 GMT -6
Can anyone help? I 'd like to put an asparagus bed in this year... Problem is I know absolutley nada about growing these veggies. I have already decided I'd like to put them in a raised bed... Questions: 1. Do they any specia soil ammendements.? 2. How far apart should i plant? 3. Any special varities grow good in the south? Any help will be appreciated. Like I said I know nothing except how to cook em. 1.)Asparagus grows in most any soil as long as it has good drainage. Waterlogged soils favor development of crown and root rot. Asparagus prefers a soil pH of 6.5-7.5, and will not do well if the pH is less than 6.0. Have the soil tested to determine phosphorus and potassium needs; If natural fertilizer is preferred, you can use a combination of well-rotted livestock manure, blood meal, bone meal, and wood ash. 2.)Dig a furrow no deeper than 5 to 6 inches.Place the crowns into the furrow 1-1/2 feet apart in the row. If more than one row is planted, space the rows five feet apart from center to center. Wide between-row spacing is necessary because the vigorously growing fern-like foliage will fill in the space quickly. Wide spacing also promotes rapid drying of the foliage to help prevent the onset of fungal diseases. 3.)Not sure on varieties?
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Post by Compost Pharmer on Jan 2, 2006 8:47:07 GMT -6
Thanks guys, good instructions. Compost is the best fertilizer I have found. Just remember that you are feeding the soil, and not the plants. The microbes break down the fertilizer so it is easier for the plants to feed. Compost tea works wonders as well. My compost is cooking so I hope it will be ready for spring planting. Finished compost gets tilled in and unfinished compost stays on top and works as a mulch. As it breaks down, it feeds the soil, and the plants. Todays lesson finished.
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Post by deb65802 on Feb 26, 2006 13:50:16 GMT -6
Martha Washington is a good variety for anywhere in the US. This one is mainly male so the production is very high. You cannot put too much composted manure on asparagus. They are very heavy feeders. Plan on at least 18 inches of compost a year. I put more in the winter to help then feel snug. Then I cover them with a foot of hay and let the snow, ice and rain break it down. Plant the crowns about a ft apart. They do not like to be crowded. About 50 crowns will feed a family of 6 all year when you freeze it. It freezes well.
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Post by Gardenerguy on Mar 11, 2006 21:51:28 GMT -6
Martha Washington is a good variety for anywhere in the US. This one is mainly male so the production is very high. You cannot put too much composted manure on asparagus. They are very heavy feeders. Plan on at least 18 inches of compost a year. I put more in the winter to help then feel snug. Then I cover them with a foot of hay and let the snow, ice and rain break it down. Plant the crowns about a ft apart. They do not like to be crowded. About 50 crowns will feed a family of 6 all year when you freeze it. It freezes well. I have Martha Washington it is reliable and it is easy to grow from seed too. But don't forget Purple asparagus, it does seem to taste sweeter to me especially when eaten raw right in the garden. However, once it is cooked it turns green like the any other asparagus.
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Post by countryboy01974 on Mar 19, 2006 16:09:37 GMT -6
I've been growing the jersey giant type for about five years now and had really good look with it it is easy to grow main thing to remember is asparagus is a heavy feeder .I put manure or a good fertilizer usually some bone meal blood meal mixture( depends on what i have left from year before)in the spring before it comes up and then feed it again about half way through the growing season this is after you quit cutting any asparagus it helps insure good root growthfor the next year don't know if this is the right way but it has worked for me
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 19, 2006 16:16:53 GMT -6
Thanks country boy ! Where are ya from?
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Post by countryboy01974 on Mar 19, 2006 16:57:48 GMT -6
western ky calloway county to be exact.
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Post by countryboy01974 on Mar 19, 2006 17:11:40 GMT -6
another thing is it takes a few years to get it established the first year you don't get any , harvest lightly the second year the third year is when you really begin to get some asparagus. you can't plant to much either I have 25 well established crowns anouther 25 that will be three this year and 25 more ordered .last year we had plenty for meals but none to put up for later I'm feeding 5 to give you an idea of how much to plant we eat it about twice a week . making me hungry for asparagus warm as it's been here i am already watching every day for the first spears to come up lol!
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 20, 2006 8:48:46 GMT -6
Thanks Country boy for the info, it will used this year when I plant some. have you put a post in the Welcome section of the phorum?...... 8-)Farmer
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Post by bellepepper on Mar 20, 2006 13:57:22 GMT -6
Here in S. E. KS, I have been harvesting asparagas for over a week now. Just a few every day or so. Had enough for supper a couple of times. Need to hurry and eat what is in the freezer from last year. By the way, I planted my bed about 15 years ago. Planted the crowns at least 12 inches deep. When we clean the chicken house, we throw manure on the bed a couple of times every winter along with ashes from the fire place. We mulch real heavy with old hay. Have had really good crops. Plenty for the 2 of us, some to can and some to freeze.
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Post by countryboy01974 on Mar 20, 2006 17:53:12 GMT -6
sort of introduced myself in the howdy countryboy pharmer phil posted.chickenfarmer what part of tn. you from my wife is from tn.to
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 20, 2006 18:04:59 GMT -6
Were 80 miles s.w . of Nashville....Almost straight down from Paris Tn, near the Tennessee river.
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Post by countryboy01974 on Mar 20, 2006 18:18:22 GMT -6
my wife is from paris . we lived there a couple of years after we were married proweled around quit a bit down that away was shooting archery tournements back then
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 21, 2006 0:24:15 GMT -6
Well were just below I-40.. welcome neighbor
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Post by nvtashak on Mar 22, 2006 21:51:05 GMT -6
Some asparagus seed sources: Pinetree Gardens, Baker Creek, E & R (not online), Le Jardin du Gourmet, and possibly Cooks Garden or maybe JLHudson. I've gotten it from Pinetree and Le Jardin. If JLHudson has it this year, I can recommend them from past experience with other seed--great catalog, I learn something everytime I read it. If you want E& R, the info is 1356 E 200 S, Monroe IN 46772 or ph 260-692-6827, same # for fax.
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Post by nvtashak on Mar 22, 2006 21:54:09 GMT -6
Some asparagus seed sources: Pinetree Gardens, Baker Creek, E & R (not online), Le Jardin du Gourmet, and possibly Cooks Garden or maybe JLHudson. I've gotten it from Pinetree and Le Jardin. If JLHudson has it this year, I can recommend them from past experience with other seed--great catalog, I learn something everytime I read it. If you want E& R, the info is 1356 E 200 S, Monroe IN 46772 or ph 260-692-6827, same # for fax.
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Post by chickenfarmer on Mar 23, 2006 18:14:50 GMT -6
Thanks Nvtashuk......
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Post by digger48 on Apr 15, 2006 5:27:47 GMT -6
Harvested the first cutting last nite. Boy! Was that ever delischous. Hope to get a rain so it really starts in.
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crazy1
Junior Member
Day Tripper
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Post by crazy1 on Apr 15, 2006 5:31:47 GMT -6
You are lucky there Digger. We're still waiting to see 'em come up!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2006 6:20:13 GMT -6
Mines up!
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Post by jeanette on Apr 15, 2006 7:59:22 GMT -6
nothing here yet!! i should looks again we've had some really hot days lately.. spring is exsploding here...
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