Asparagus officinalis, A. Asparagaceae.
Native to Eurasia. — Perennial — A herb with a clumping habit and a rhizomatous root pattern. Grows to a height of around 1 - 1.5m and a width of 40 - 90cm — Slow growing.
Tolerates a soil pH of 6.5-8. Prefers full sun and a moderately moist soil.
Culture
— Asparagus is a well-loved plant but its cultivation is sorely neglected in Western Australian backyards. It is remarkably hardy and easy to grow but requires some care for a good harvest of flavoursome spears.propagation.
Asparagus can be grown from seed or by division of the crown.establishment.
Asparagus crowns are perhaps the easier way to establish plants and these can usually be purchased from nurseries between late Winter and early Spring. If the soil is in good condition and well drained, not much additional work is required. If it is poor, mix in a little compost and ensure that there is drainage. Make a wide trench. In the centre of the trench, form a hillock slightly lower than the original level of the bed. Place the crowns straddling this hillock, about 1m apart, and cover, returning the bed to a level state. Additional compost might be added at this point, though it is not necessary, along with a fine woody mulch. Make sure the the centres of the crowns are not buried more than around 5cm.Though asparagus is popularly grown in a dedicated bed or 'patch' this may not be optimal. Messieurs Vilmorin-Andrieux of Paris suggest an advantage is gained were "Each plant is treated as an individual — as a vigorous subject requiring much space in which to grow ... placing a plant wherever there is room for one." They go on:
"This last way is important, because it may be carried out in very small gardens everywhere, and by its means we should become more readily convinced of the value of giving plenty of room to the roots. Single plants here and there in the open spaces, or in 'blanks' between bushes, fruits, or dwarf pyrimidal Apple or Pear trees, or single lines, wherever room can be found for the, would, from the superior result, soon convince all of the value of the system."I have laid out most of my asparagus in this way. I'll let you know in a couple of years how it compares to those in a bed.
maintenance.
It is a few years before it is wise to take more than a couple of spears, in fact none ought to be taken before the third year. Up to the third year, ensure that the plants are well fed with compost in early winter. While it is customary to cut all the shoots down to 40cm or so, this may be unnecessary. Bill Mollison suggests that a continuous harvest is afforded by keeping at least three stems through the whole year.harvest.
In the third or fourth year you can harvest shoots but stop if they appear to get thinner. To harvest, uncover the centre of the crown and snap the shoot from the base rather than cutting. This will encourage further shoots.Uses
— The shoots are eaten a vegetable after being lightly boiled or steamed.References
Vilmorin-Andrieux, MM., The Vegetable Garden: Illustrations, Descriptions and Culture of The Garden Vegetables of Cold and Temperate Climates
Millison, Bill1983 Permaculture Design Course Recordings
Jacke, D. and Toensmeier, E. Edible Forest Gardens: Ecological Design and Practice for a Temperate Climate Permaculture
Plants for a Future Database
