OMG!!! I just got the first asparagus spear out of the old bed

[NMDemDist2]

the old owners told me she had planted an asparagus bed. the first summer I saw some ferns and ignored it.

last summer I saw some ferns and ignored it.

a few weeks ago she stopped by and I asked her about it. the bed was covered with dead buffalo grass but there were quite a few little ferny mounds.

she laughed and said, "Don't worry about it, asparagus grows in all the ditches around here, but put the water to it and see what happens"

so I've been putting the water to it for the last couple weeks, flooding the bed every couple three days and today I was out doing that when I saw a spear!!! 6" long!!!

as I was cutting that one down, I saw two more 3" ones and a couple more heads.

we ate it raw and OMG :wow: it had so much flavor!!

:woohoo:

I wonder what it'll look like next year when I weed it out and actually feed the darned things?

[elleng]

1. Neat to hear,AZ!

My folks bought a small place in Vermont years ago, for summers. We discovered a large asparagus patch in the otherwise neglected garden. We went on to cultivate the garden, and the first year went up with a friend and spent entire weekend harvesting and eating fresh asparagus! GREAT!

PS, one of my favorites was harvesting potatoes! Every one a surprise!

[NMDemDist2]

2. yeah and tonight and tomorrow it's freezing

31 tonight and forecast 19 Monday night

so much for the new babies

[plantwomyn]

9. I thought you and I had an agreement.

Still frezzin here and you're killin me with this "my garden is growing" shit! I'm dyin here! Brown and gray everywhere.:hurts:
Hey man mulch you asparagus with straw if it's going to freeze. Even a loose layer will help. Or a sheet over the top at night works too, just don't let it touch the plants.
Hope the links I sent helped.
D

Ps No plastic! If it touches plants during a frost it will kill them, if it heats up before you can get it of the same. Sheets.

[NMDemDist2]

10. I'm sorry :hug: I threw some straw over them and they are used to this climate (I hope)

and it ended up not freezing as bad as they predicted. We still had a pretty good bit of ice on the windshields though...

I don't know what to do with that patch, hubby keeps threatening to just flood it with brine and be done with it.

I may put in some raspberrys or something. they should be able to tap into the drain field and sprawl all over the area with very little help from me.

if it any consolation, while we have a long growing season, it's dusty and windy and water conservation is a big deal. Hotter than hell in the summer too. Well, not quite I guess, after 9 years in Phoenix, these summers are nothing

LOL

[plantwomyn]

11. Be careful what you plant over your septic!

I'm not sure but raspberries and such may have root systems that will clog up your tiles. $$$$$$
Whatever you do if you at least keep the weeds down and keep them from seeding you should gain some control.

[sazemisery]

3. Will Pitt is gonna chastize you again!

Raven will see this and start Jonesing for spring.:hi:




Edit: spelling

[NMDemDist2]

6. LOL

I think W. Pitt should go build Raven a greenhouse

that's what I think

:rofl:

[wildeyed]

4. Green with envy!

I was just thinking about starting an asparagus patch this year, but I doubt I will have time with all the other projects I have going. Takes two years to get asparagus after you start it, too, so that is a three year wait if I don't get it in this year :(

[NMDemDist2]

5. yeah, but they are outside freezing right now

it's snowing sideways here and I HAVE to go outside and get a couple things done out there today

it's been a fairly warm storm so far, barely freezing but tonight to be much colder.

maybe if I cover them tonight they'll be OK

:shrug:

[sazemisery]

7. Got some straw? or Plastic

Cover them and they should be fine. Some varieties are cold hardy with a little protection.

[NMDemDist2]

8. i luckily had a pile of straw sitting right by there

so I covered them at the same time I wrapped all the faucets

[Rowdyboy]

12. I picked our first 1/4 pound yesterday-7 spears.....every year the yield grows

Last year we harvested about 4 ppunds from an established 10'X 10' bed. Its great in salads, omelets, stirfry adn you can freeze the leftovers. Good stuff though it can make your pee green. :shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

13. we got a couple real hard freezes this week

i covered them with some straw

we'll see what else pops up as it warms up

[Rowdyboy]

14. We're expecting high 20's this weekend-maybe snow.....

So we'll lose a few stalks but the season lasts til June so I can't bitch.