How to grow asparagus? 5 steps in 2 minutes to teach you to grow white and tender bamboo shoots!

Asparagus is a kind of vegetable with high nutritional value. Its cultivation is not complicated at all, and it can be planted in both the north and the south, as well as gardens and balconies. So how exactly do you grow asparagus? The following is to introduce the asparagus planting method which is easy to learn and super practical.

1. Select planting plots

Because asparagus can produce young stems for up to 25 years in a row, it is necessary to prepare a site where asparagus can be planted for a long time. This place should have the following characteristics:

Plenty of light. Asparagus grows best when it is sunny. Because it germinates in early spring, it is possible to choose a place close to a tree that has not yet grown leaves. Just make sure that the roots of asparagus are not overshadowed by trees or buildings.

Soil that is well drained. The soil should be loose and well drained. Asparagus will rot when planted in water-soaked soil.

Leave room for the roots to grow. This is optional, although asparagus grows well on the soil, it is easier to let weeds occupy the roots when growing, thus completely drying up the asparagus.

2. Buy asparagus seeds or asparagus Corolla

Asparagus seeds and Corolla are available in home gardening stores, nurseries or online. Seeds can be seen all year round, but Corolla is usually sold only in early spring, just before they should be planted.

Asparagus plants are hermaphroditic, which means that every plant is both female and male. Female plants devote their energy to producing seeds, so they cannot produce as many tender stems as male plants. Some species of asparagus are designed to produce only male plants. If you choose this kind of asparagus, you will only need to plant half the Corolla compared to choosing a mixed variety.

Asparagus seeds are not usually separated by sex, so female plants are removed as soon as they sprout.

Choose a variety that is resistant to rust, such as one of the many "Jersey" varieties, or "Mary Washington".

If you are buying a Corolla, choose a Corolla that looks healthy. They should be grayish brown, large and plump. Buy it about a day before planting.

Purple asparagus and other genetic species can be seen in the nursery. You can create white asparagus by using soil to protect young stems from the sun.

3. Plant asparagus with seeds

(1) sowing seeds indoors. In early spring, sow some seeds into small pots, which means the beginning of seedling growth. Put the basin in a place with plenty of light, water it every day, and keep the temperature at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

(2) lower the temperature when the seeds germinate. Once the seeds germinate, they no longer need to stay warm. Bring the temperature down to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius).

(3) planting seedlings outdoors. When the seedlings grow to 0.3 meters tall and the weather outside is as warm as spring, it is time to plant them into the outdoor seedbed. Dig a hole 7.5 cm deep so that they can continue to grow.

(4) get rid of female plants. When asparagus begins to blossom, you can know which are males and which are females. The flowers of male plants are long and large, while those of female plants are smaller. Pull up the female plant and compost it.

(5) transplant male plants into permanent seedbeds. Let the male plants complete their growth cycle and winter in the seedbed. The following spring, a year after germination, they will grow to the same level of maturity as a year's Corolla and are ready to be transplanted into a permanent seedbed. Follow the steps below to continue growing plants.

4. Plant a Corolla for one year

(1) prepare the seedbed. Remove all weeds from the seedbed and make sure there are no residual roots in the soil. Plough the field and use a rake to apply manure, blood or bone marrow powder to a depth of 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 centimeters).

Dig trenches for planting. The trench should be 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) deep and about 12 inches (30 centimeters) wide. If you want to plant a lot of rows, keep the spacing to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters).

Ridging in a trench. Mix organic compost with the soil you get out of the trench and spread 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) of fertile soil in the center of the bottom of each trench to form a middle ridge.

You can also mix soil with phosphate rock, a mineral powder that promotes root growth.

(2) soak the Corolla. Before planting, put the Corolla in a bucket with warm water or mixed tea (fortified wine with plant nutrients) and soak for about 15 minutes.

(3) planting Corolla. Put the Corolla in the trench and keep it 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart. Let the root wrinkle down on one side of the ridge.

Cover the roots and Corolla with soil. The soil should be piled 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) higher than the root and Corolla.

After planting, water the area thoroughly.

(4) backfill. When the asparagus plant begins to grow and the soil settles down, add more soil to the Corolla. Place 1 to 3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) of soil on the Corolla every 2 to 3 weeks. Until the trench is filled to the height of the ground.

(5) cover the plant. After the trench is filled, stretch 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of mulch around the plant. Covering plants helps to control weeds and retain moisture in the soil.

5. Field management

(1) watering the plant regularly. Asparagus will mature after two complete growth periods. At the same time, keep the soil moist at all times.

(2) weeding. If asparagus has to compete with weeds, grasses or any other plant for nutrition, they will die. The soil should still be taken good care of after the plant is mature. If they age, their roots will naturally be squeezed out by weeds.

(3) fertilizing and covering plants. In spring, fertilizing asparagus with liquid fertilizer is very important to stimulate growth. In winter, plants are protected from severe cold by covering them with straw or other mulch.

(4) beware of pests and diseases. Asparagus is easily affected by asparagus beetles, which feed on tender stems like ferns in summer and autumn. They lay eggs on the tender stems of asparagus. If you see beetles or their eggs, take them away.

The next step is to pick asparagus! The first harvest is limited to 2 or 3 weeks, pick the tender stems of asparagus every few days, and be careful not to pick too much from the same plant.