Growing Asparagus

GROW YOUR OWN ASPARAGUS

Asparagus not only tastes delicious, but is also a wonderful source of nutrients for a healthy body and mind.Asparagus is great as a detox vegetable, an anti-aging vegetable, and no surprise - an aphrodisiac, and much more.The asparagus is a member of the lily family. It grows easily in the home garden right in the flower bed - it is a perennial and can yield a harvest for decades.Growing asparagus is a long term project – it takes at least two years to come into production but will then continue for up to 20 years, repaying the initial investment many times over.
Asparagus is not suited to either close spacing or container growing. Asparagus can be planted as seeds or roots any time of the year.

Planting And Growing

• Select a location for your asparagus bed that gets full sun for a majority of the day. Pay attention to your surrounding landscaping; trees that grow bigger over the next two decades may cast unwanted shade on the bed, reducing its production.
• Dig the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and remove any rocks, roots, and weeds. Incorporate at least one bucketful of organic matter, such as garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure, every square metre (yard).
• Asparagus can be grown from seed, but it is easier to plant one-year-old dormant plants, known as crowns, in March.
• Make a straight trench, 30cm wide by 20cm deep, and then pour soil down the length of the trench to make a 10cm high mound.
• Next, carefully take your asparagus crowns and sit them on top of the mound, spreading the roots out either sides - plant crowns 30cm apart and then cover with about 5cm of soil, which has been sifted through a riddle or sieve.
• Cover the plants with more sifted soil as the stems grow, aiming to completely fill the trench by autumn. Subsequent rows should be spaced 30cm apart.
• Keep the asparagus bed weed free by hand, rather than using a hoe, as the shallow roots are easily damaged. Mulch the bed in late winter with weed-free compost to discourage weeds and to retain moisture. Consider covering the bed from autumn to winter with an opaque weed mat to prevent annual weeds germinating.
• In early spring, apply 100g per sq m (3oz per sq yd) of general fertiliser such as Growmore, or fish, blood and bone.
• To avoid the top-growth breaking in windy weather and damaging the crowns, use stakes and garden twine to make a ‘fence’ either side of the row for support.
• Allow the foliage of your asparagus plants to yellow in autumn before cutting it down to soil level for the winter.
• Asparagus plants are either male or female. Male plants produce more and better spears,If any female plants do appear, they will be noticeable because they produce orange-red berries. If you are growing an all-male cultivar, you will need to remove any female plants as well as any seedlings that appear.

Harvesting And Storage

• Asparagus plants are ready to be picked two years after planting, although several modern varieties have been bred for earlier cropping.
• To harvest spears, wait until they're about 12cm long and remove them with a serrated knife, cutting them off 7cm beneath the soil.
• Stop harvesting in mid-June to allow the plant to build up its energy for next year, and give plants an extra boost by feeding with a general fertilizer.
• Consume immediately after harvesting as they tend to wither rapidly.If refrigerated can stay for 2 weeks.

Few Health Benefits Of Asparagus

• Prevents Colon Cancer-Asparagus contains a unique carb called inulin, which remains undigested until it reaches the large intestine, where it helps to absorb nutrients better, and cut the risk of colon cancer.
• Regulates Blood Sugar levels-asparagus is a rich source of B vitamins, which are known to regulate blood sugar levels.
• Contains Vitamin A & K- The goodness is in the stalk, which contains vitamin A for better vision, potassium for smooth kidney functioning, and trace minerals that help boost immunity.The Vitamin K in asparagus is excellent for healthy blood clotting and strengthening bones.
• Prevents Cancer - asparagus in high in folate which is now known to be an important protection against cancer.

Asparagus with shrimps Recipe

Ingredients

• 10 large asparagus, snapped into 2 inch length pieces
• 2 cloves garlic - finely chopped
• 6 small to medium prawns, optional
• 1/8 tsp salt or to taste
• 4 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil

Method

• Heat oil in a wok or frying pan. Once oil is heated, turn the fire down to medium-low.
• Toss in garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Adjust the fire to low if needed as you want to infuse the garlic in oil without burning it.
• Add prawns. Cook until the prawns turn slightly pink (half cooked).
• Finally, add in the asparagus and continue to stir-fry on medium heat. 
• Start adding one or two tablespoon of water. Turn up the heat to high. Stir and toss to make sure the asparagus cooks evenly. 
• Add two more tablespoon of water for more liquid. Add salt and stir occasionally. Asparagus should take about 5-7 minutes to cook. 
• Test by using your spatula to cut through one of the spears. It should be easy to cut but still crunchy.
• Serve hot with rice.