I’ve started what I’m calling “The Great Asparagus Experiment of 2011.” It’s an attempt to be able to harvest asparagus more gradually instead of overdosing on it for a few weeks in the spring. Many years ago I read an article in The Oregonian by garden writer Vern Nelson about a way to get a three-season harvest from a large bed of asparagus.
And by many years, I mean 2003 (too long ago to be able to link to, unfortunately, though you can find a list of his articles from the last few years here). I’ve kept it in my files ever since because I hoped I would have enough room for an asparagus patch one day- which I am blessed to have at our current house. After planting the bed and harvesting only small amounts for a few years, we were able to harvest for a full 6 weeks last year.
And about the middle of June after we’d eaten so much asparagus we were ready for the harvest to end, I remembered this article. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy asparagus periodically over a longer period than to have a glut of it that invariably gets old?
So, basically what I did this year was to separate my two long asparagus beds into three sections. This is the first section which I am harvesting now- that’s why you can’t see very many asparagus shoots. I will harvest this section like normal and then let the ferns grow at the end of June.
In the second section I am letting the shoots grow now and will cut the mature ferns to the ground in the last week of June. According to Mr. Nelson, a flush of tender spears will appear in about a week and will continue for six to eight weeks of harvest.
During this time the last section will be left to grow until mid-August. Then I will cut the ferns just below ground level and will be able to harvest new shoots about a week later. I should be able to harvest for about 6 weeks, stopping when the spears become “smaller than a pencil.”
Do I think this will work?
To some extent, yes. I think someone mentioned this at one of the TGP’s last year, or at least getting a spring and fall harvest from asparagus. But what the asparagus will be like, how long I’ll actually be able to harvest from each section, and if it affects next year’s production- these are all things I don’t now about.
And curiously, there’s not much information about getting multiple harvests from a bed of asparagus. I found an article about a two season harvest, but nothing about getting three seasons of harvest. And even though it’s just Brian and I who like asparagus, I worry about not having enough to harvest for meals.
Maybe I should’ve just done the spring and fall strategy. Shoot…too late now. *smile*
Are you trying anything new this year?
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You are very determined! It will pay off for sure! It looks great
Good luck with the asparagus experiment, one can never have too much asparagus. One of us here, did not believe in composting, but we do now! For us the new thing is mutual understanding on making and using compost. Thanks for hosting.
So jealous- I so want an asaparagus patch. When I get one I wil try this new technique. How big is your bed?
I am one of those that does not like asparagus but I grew up down the road from an asparagus farm. It was always interesting to see how fast they grew.
I will watch your progress with interest.
My asparagus is on its way. I am currently preparing the bed using your black plastic technique. Can’t wait to get them in the e ground. Hope I remember this technique in three years when we have enough to harvest!
Asparagus are such great plants to grow and they get better and better each year. This is an interesting technique to use. Good luck!
Thank you for hosting.
I love fresh asparagus! You have me inspired. Now I want to plant a bed of them!
I’m so jealous! We love asparagus but have never planted it.
I hope it all goes as you’ve planned!
Look at you, growing Asparagus. I have never tried this. Tell me, once you cut the stalk does another grow or is that for the one plant?
Good luck and hopefully they will continue to do well.
Sandy
I’m am trying to figure out where I can plant asparagus. I’ll have to bookmark this post for when I do.
Thanks for the link up.
You are so good! MY Asparagus didn’t come back this year?! I am baffled. It was there last year? Hmm… it will be something to look into.
We do the two season plan. When I was a kid, my mom had two season asparagus beds. When she started working again, she got rid of her garden. Our asparagus roots were so good though, that even mowing them down on a regular basis didn’t kill them. Eventually, she’d send us out to harvest dinner out of the middle of our lawn
)
I have never heard of extending your season. I be anxious to hear how it works for you! But I think I’ll stick with the normal one season plan since we don’t have much fresh growing now. I don’t mind eating asparagus every other day and by the time it is finished for the year, I’ll have something else to enjoy out of the garden.
But maybe if there were fewer of us who ate asparagus and we didn’t need our whole patch. I’ll keep it in mind!
Gina
Shannan- I have two narrow beds, each 3 ft. by about 15 ft. I didn’t need that much, but I was designing the garden plan and these beds edge one of the sides. It’s too much for us really, which is why I’m hoping this experiment turns out.
I’ve read that 12 to 15 plants would feed a family of 4 (who all eat it, that is!).
Sandy- One mature plant produces lots of asparagus shoots during the growing season. When you stop harvesting (to allow the ferns to grow and nourish the roots for the next year’s harvest) they still continue to put out shoots, we just don’t harvest them anymore.
Dee- Oh dear- that is a mystery! I do know that they don’t compete well with weeds- though I’ve seen some that don’t care (like Striving Simply’s comment above about harvesting it from the grass!), but I think they have to me really mature roots at that point.
Gina- Yes, my biggest concern is getting enough…
I love this idea! This will go into my file for when I have more garden space!