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Encyclopedia test article
FAQ
My asparagus roots arrived with mold on them. Are they diseased? Will this affect my other plants in my garden? It is common for perennial vegetable roots to arrive with a surface mold after being in a box while being shipped for several days. This mold will not hurt the plant, and will not spread to other plants. If the roots feel firm and appear healthy, wash off the mold before planting and go ahead and plant.
Do I need male and female plants to get asparagus? No, we eat the leaf buds of asparagus, there is no need for pollination or fruiting. Some varieties are mostly male, and these tend to be stronger varieties. The female plants are not as strong and produce weedy seedlings
Are the red berries edible? Can I tell what sex a plant is from the red berry? No and no
I planted my asparagus and want to move it next year. Can I do this? We do not recommend moving your asparagus after planting as disturbing the roots will set the plants back. If you must move it, do it at the end of the first year at the latest. Wait until the foliage dies back in fall and carefully take as mush of each root as possible. Plant in a trench and cover with 3 inches of soil. Fill in the trench gradually as it comes up next spring. Do not harvest for an extra year.
How can I get that white asparagus I see in gourmet stores? White asparagus is not a specific variety of asparagus, it is regular asparagus that has been blanched as it grows. Keep the growing green spear from the sunlight and it will turn white.
How many plants do I need for a family of two? For a family of four? We recommend 25 roots for a family of two, 50 for a family of four.
growingTips
How to grow subtitle
Start asparagus seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring in peat pots, plastic pots or trays. At least 2 x 2 inch cells works best.
howToGrow
How to grow subtitle
- Sow seeds in seed-starting formula. Cover lightly with 1/2 inch of seed starting mix.
- Keep soil moist at 70-75 degrees F.
- Seedlings will emerge in 10-14 days at 75 degrees F.
- As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow. Incandescent bulbs do not work because they get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
howToSow
From Seed
Start asparagus seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring in peat pots, plastic pots or trays. At least 2 x 2 inch cells works best.
- Sow seeds in seed-starting formula. Cover lightly with 1/2 inch of seed starting mix.
- Keep soil moist at 70-75 degrees F.
- Seedlings will emerge in 10-14 days at 75 degrees F.
- As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow. Incandescent bulbs do not work because they get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
From rooted plant
- Sow seeds in seed-starting formula. Cover lightly with 1/2 inch of seed starting mix.
- Keep soil moist at 70-75 degrees F.
- Seedlings will emerge in 10-14 days at 75 degrees F.
- As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow. Incandescent bulbs do not work because they get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
Start asparagus seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring in peat pots, plastic pots or trays. At least 2 x 2 inch cells works best.