There are a few foods that are really seasonal and are with us for just a brief period – my two favourites are Cherries and Asparagus.  I absolutely love both of them and neither of them are anywhere near as good eaten out of season.  So when the season is right we eat them most days and enjoy them while we can.  Asparagus is really easy to grow and even a small patch will provide you with some mouth-watering meals. My asparagus patch is quite big – probably 4x6m and is now in its 7th year, and this year I’m looking forward to a bumper crop.  The road to a bumper crop hasn’t been easy for my asparagus.  Whilst they were planted in exactly the type of soil they prefer – lovely light, silty soil and they were given all the goodies that they desire (sheep pellets, blood and bone and a general granulated fertiliser in spring and autumn) – there were detrimental factors stacked against them from the outset.  Initially they weren’t in full sun so the plants remained weak and slow to clump up.  Then in their second winter a furry person with spots dug half of them up – obviously convinced there was nothing in this particular patch – so it was a “start again” scenario.  The trees that inhibited the growth of my asparagus “fern” (the foliage that appears after the spears is called “fern”) were taken out several years ago and they have now had several years with full sun and the security of knowing they are now a fenced-in plot and no-ones paws can assault them again.   Consequently they are now producing copious amounts of asparagus for our extended family, and this year… maybe even friends!

NEW IMPROVED VARIETIES AVAILABLE THIS YEAR

Pacific 2000  In NZ the most common variety of asparagus planted in the home garden has been Jersey Giant.  However NZ is in the forefront of asparagus development and this old variety has been superseded by Pacific 2000.   Pacific 2000 was painstakingly chosen from among the best at Lincoln University and is now exported around the world.   Pacific 2000 produces more asparagus per crown and each spear is very uniform.  The plants also last longer and as asparagus is a long term investment why wouldn’t you plant the best variety available?  This variety crops later than Pacific Endeavour.

Pacific Purple  Another new NZ bred asparagus is Pacific Purple which is a “super-sweet” variety. It has distinctive dark purple spears with less fibre (tough skin) and more anti-oxidants than green asparagus.  The spears are slightly larger than green varieties and the purple runs from tip to butt.  If you’re keen on trying to grow white asparagus – this is the variety to use as it produces the very tender spears that are required for white asparagus production and absolutely no peeling is required.

Pacific Challenger  This is the first Phytophphora tolerant variety and a very good producer. In heavy soils asparagus can suffer from fungal diseases and this variety has trialed successfully in these conditions.  It is great for gardens where the ground tends to be wet and warm too.

Pacific Endeavour  Released for the first time this year 2017 – this variety has been tested in HB and the south west of the North Island  and performed very well.    It crops earlier in spring than Pacific 2000.  – I’m going to have to push the fence out this year to get a row of this in and lengthen my picking.

Late winter is the time to plant  The best time to plant Asparagus is when the days start to lengthen and the soil temperatures start to rise.  Late August – early September is ideal. Planting earlier often leads to rotting of the young crowns in cold, wet soil.   Crowns will be available early August.  I recommend pre-ordering with us – give the Green Door a call on 06 8776 444 or email me at:  thegreendoor@xnet.co.nz for pricing.  No quantity too large!