Ruud Kleinpaste: Asparagus needs attention

Peete Bereng

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If you have established plants, make sure the beds are weed-free. It allows the asparagus roots to benefit from all the nutrients that are in the soil. In July, you cut off the old fern stalks and lay them flat on the asparagus bed – it makes a good cover. Next job is to hunt for some good sheep manure. I have plenty in the Halswell Quarry. I lay it out in a heap and go over it with the lawn mower to break it all up into fine bits of sheep poo, which will be worked into the top layers of the soil. (not too deep, as you may damage the asparagus roots) Next a nice layer of Agricultural Lime (not dolomite lime) to slightly raise the ph. If needed, a layer of good compost over the top (or some rotted sea-weed). You’re now getting the picture that asparagus likes a lot of organic matter and not much competition. When the plants start throwing up asparagus “spears” some regular liquid fertiliser (seafood soup/seaweed tea) keeps the plant producing till Christmas. If you want to COMMENCE growing asparagus, NOW is the time to start the project. Choose a variety; they’re in shops now: <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Jersey Giant: produces large spears; the flavour is sweet when the tips are small. </li> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol",

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pat.grove

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