Asparagus is a long-term perennial crop so will take up space on the plot for many years but that is the beauty of it and if you have room and love the flavour of asparagus, then it is one to make space for.
HOW TO GROW
Asparagus can be grown from seed but it will take years to reach a size that will produce a sizeable crop and there may be female plants among the seedlings. All-male plants produce the best spears. The quickest way to start off asparagus is with one- or two-year-old crowns. These are fleshy, spidery-looking roots that are sold by specialist nurseries or seed merchants. Ideally, plan to plant these in March or early April, which is the optimum time. If you are quick you can order some now after reading this feature. Check out our great offer for asparagus crowns in this issue on page 44.
PREPARING THE SOIL
This is important because the crop will be growing in one spot for many years. Choose a sunny spot, although a little shade during the day will be fine. Dig over the soil to prepare the bed. Remove as many weeds and weed roots as you can. You could dig in some farmyard manure or garden compost at this point to improve the soil further.
Dig a trench about 30cm (1ft) wide and 20cm (8in) deep. Using garden compost or manure mixed with soil, make a ridge of soil along the base of the trench.
PLACE THE CROWNS
Denne historien er fra March 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
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Denne historien er fra March 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!
