Asparagus
Growing and Eating Asparagus
Author’s Name
Did you know that asparagus is a member of the Lily family? I sure didn't.
Eat
A 5.3 ounce serving of asparagus provides 60% of your recommended daily amount of Folacin. Folacin is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease.
It has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year.
In addition to folacin, asparagus are incredibly nutrient rich, high in folic acid, potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins, B6, A, & C. They contain no fat nor cholesterol.
Cook
Virginia Willis’ Easy Asparagus Lemon Salad
A completely raw salad with a punch of lemon, a nice fatty richness from pine, and umami from the parmesan to round it all out.
Recipes from the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board
Grow
Sun
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Planting
Spring & Fall
Mid-January - Mid-March
November - December
Soil
Sandy loam
Clay-tolerant
Harvesting
3-yr-old plant: 1-2 weeks
4-yr-old plant: 3-4 weeks
5-yr-old plant: 4-5weeks
They say south central Georgia is about as far south as you can grow asparagus. Mary Washington is the most recommended variety of asparagus in Georgia.
Asparagus plants need several years of growth before they can tolerate being harvested. The one year-old fall-planted crowns are not to be harvested the following spring. Harvest three-year-old plants lightly, about every one-to-two weeks. Harvest four-year-old plants for two to three weeks. Harvest five year old or older plants four to five weeks.
Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for your permanent bed. Plant the crowns by draping the roots over a heavily composted mound. Then cover the crowns with two or three inches of loamy soil.
Rows should be about 3-4 feet apart and the plants should be about 1-1 1/2 feet apart on the rows. It's important the asparagus area be kept weed free.