While mechanical harvesters are becoming more popular, much of the US asparagus supply is still hand harvested with just a sharp knife which the worker "stabs" into the soil next to the stalk to cut it just below the surface of the soil. This practice will allow the plant to continue producing until the end of spring.
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Once the asparagus plant is three years old, you can harvest for two solid months.
To regrow asparagus, you can start by planting asparagus crowns in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Make sure to space the crowns properly and keep the soil moist. Asparagus takes a few years to establish, but with proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest for many years.
You should not harvest asparagus until the spear is at least 3/4-inch thick. Most newly planted crowns will not produce this thick of spear until at least the second year. Once the asparagus reaches the correct thickness, cut asparagus when the spears are 6 to 8 inches tall. Use a sharp knife to cut the spear 1 or 2 inches below the surface of the soil. The plant will continue to push up new spears throughout the growing season.
Once the asparagus harvest is done for the year, the remaining spears should be left to grow into tall, ferny foliage - perfect for camouflaging fences or providing a feathery backdrop for the rest of the garden.
Yes, but you need to allow the fronds to develop so that it can store strength for the next season.
To cut asparagus from the garden for optimal freshness and flavor, use a sharp knife to trim the spears at ground level. Harvest in the morning when the asparagus is cool and crisp. Store in the refrigerator in a damp paper towel or standing in water to maintain freshness.
Vegetable crops such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, lettuce, and cabbage are still harvested largely by hand.
Some popular spring harvest crops commonly grown during this season include strawberries, asparagus, peas, lettuce, radishes, and spinach.
The botanical name for asparagus is Asparagus officinalis.
The scientific name of asparagus is Asparagus officinalis
To successfully grow a big asparagus plant in your garden, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Plant asparagus crowns in a trench, spacing them apart. Keep the soil moist and weed-free, and fertilize regularly. Harvest asparagus spears when they are 6-8 inches tall by cutting them at the base. Allow some spears to grow into fern-like foliage to nourish the plant for the next season.