"Coniferous phytozont", "Rakurs", "Pinocid" - unique preparations for the health and beauty of coniferous plants
Long before the beginning of our era, people knew such a plant as asparagus. Growing it, for example, in ancient Egypt was the work of healers who knew medicinal properties these green shoots, and peasants who appreciated their delicate taste.
The ancient Greeks gave preference to this plant not only for its beneficial properties, but also for its beauty during the ripening period of the fruits - wreaths were woven from them for the newlyweds.
Today, asparagus is consumed by those who really care about their health and know the value of its nutrients.
Beneficial features
Unfortunately, in some countries today Asparagus officinalis is either undeservedly forgotten, or people responsible for planning Agriculture prefer crops that are more economically advantageous.
This vegetable plant grows in almost all countries of the world, except for the northern regions, and you can still meet its wild "relatives" in the meadows. People in antiquity did not know which beneficial substances possesses asparagus, the cultivation and distribution of which continued until the Middle Ages. It was actively used in the form of decoctions.
Today scientists are well aware chemical composition this plant, which includes:
- asparagine, normalizing arterial pressure, the work of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system;
- folic acid, especially necessary for women during pregnancy;
- proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids;
- potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, selenium and manganese;
- 15% fatty oils;
- organic acids (citric, malic);
- alkaloids and vitamins C, K, E.
Such a rich composition with an extremely low calorie content (21 kcal per 100 g) makes asparagus a favorite product among nutritionists. Today, many people prefer to engage in prevention rather than treatment of diseases, so this plant is present in their diet.
Growing asparagus from seed
Many gardeners allocate space in their backyard for a vegetable such as asparagus. Growing from seeds is one way that suits those who are patient and not in a hurry. Before sowing, it is recommended to soak them in warm water for a couple of days, maintaining its temperature at +30 degrees, and then dry it. So they will rise faster.
It is possible to sow in open ground in April or May, when the threat of night frosts has already passed. In order for the seeds to sprout together, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil:
- first, make grooves;
- secondly, put a mixture of humus, ash and superphosphates on their bottom;
- thirdly, apply a second layer of manure mixed with leaves or turf;
- fourthly, carefully loosen everything.
Hatching seeds are thrown into the soil prepared in this way at a depth of 4-5 cm at a distance of 3 cm from each other. The further concern of the gardener is to ensure that the sown asparagus gives friendly shoots. Growing from seeds is a laborious process. In summer, it should be regularly watered, hilled and fed with mineral and organic fertilizers.
An important point in the growth of this plant is the timely harvesting of fruits, preventing them from falling to the ground. In autumn, there is little work to care for her, should be removed yellow leaves as they appear and mulch the soil with tree bark and leaves before the first frost to preserve the roots.
Spring care for this vegetable consists in feeding with complex fertilizers and creating an earthen rampart over the garden. Sown asparagus, the technology of growing from seeds is not very difficult, will give the first harvest after 3 years. In order for it to be guaranteed high, it is better to take care of the seedlings in advance.
Greenhouse sowing
If you take care ahead of time that the grown seedlings are ready for planting in the ground, there is more chance that the asparagus will take root better. Growing it in a greenhouse - great option get strong viable shoots.
Seeds are prepared in the same way as for sowing in open ground. After they swell (3-5 days) and germinate, they are sown in separate pots or seedling cassettes. The best time for this is the end of March - the beginning of April. This method allows you to significantly save time for the sprouts to get stronger even before transplanting.
The soil in pots should consist of a mixture of earth (2 parts) and manure, sand and peat, 1 part each, respectively. Seedling care involves regular watering, loosening the soil and gradual hardening. For those 60-70 days that the plant needs to be ready for open ground, you can feed it 2-3 times with slurry at the rate of 1/6 or urea in the proportion of 20 g per 10 liters of water. Although asparagus tolerates winter frosts down to -30 degrees, it can die in spring thaws at minus five. Therefore, on warm sunny days, experienced gardeners are advised to open seedlings.
It is possible to plant strengthened sprouts in late May - early June, although there are those who prefer to grow them in a greenhouse during the year and transplant them into open ground only next spring. Such cultivation of asparagus in a greenhouse allows you to increase the yield many times over.
Sowing seeds in the ground or growing seedlings in a greenhouse is not the only way to provide for yourself. useful vegetable for a long time.
Reproduction of asparagus by rhizome
For many summer residents, asparagus planted on a personal plot has become a kind of hobby. Growing (this photo shows) a plant that begins to bear fruit only after 2-3 years requires not only patience, but also precise adherence to technology.
The most popular and fastest for propagation of asparagus is the division of the rhizome. To do this, several pieces with a live kidney are cut off from the greyish-brown roots purchased on the market. This gives almost 100% survival rate to the plant, the main thing is that the source material itself is of high quality. Before planting, it is necessary to dig parallel trenches 40-50 cm wide and the same depth.
Each piece is planted on prepared and fertilized earth mounds 20-25 cm high and at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. The buds will give new shoots, and the next year it will be possible to harvest the first crop.
the best planting material strong and healthy asparagus roots at the age of 3-5 years are considered, which can be planted both in autumn and in spring. Since it grows and bears fruit from 10 to 20 years, you should take care of the site for it in advance. This is especially true for those gardeners who plan to grow asparagus in the country on a small amount of land.
Site preparation and care
When choosing a place to plant, you should immediately take into account that this plant loves the sun and is afraid of drafts. Asparagus can be given a place on the south side along the fence, although it will also grow in the shade, only the crop will have to be harvested 2 weeks later.
This unpretentious plant in care, which gives higher and higher yields as it "growing up", is very fond of fertilized and fertile soil. Perfect option is a raised bed of sandy loamy soil on sunny side site.
Growing asparagus in the country requires only three regular actions from the gardener - loosening, watering and weeding. In the first year of its growth, it is extremely sensitive to weeds, as it cannot compete with them in growth rate. It also does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so the soil should dry out well after watering.
With the first spring loosening and after harvesting, it is recommended to apply mineral and organic fertilizers. Conditions for growing asparagus in cold areas with harsh winters require soil mulching, which can be done using peat, foliage, or tree bark.
If there was a dry summer, it should be remembered that with a lack of moisture, this vegetable acquires a bitter taste. Watering should be frequent, but stagnant water should not be allowed, otherwise the root system will begin to rot, and excess moisture will become a breeding ground for fungi and mold.
As the plants grow, it is spudded in the spring to protect the tender shoots from the sun, and in the fall to protect from frost. For example, near biennial asparagus, it is recommended to raise the ground by 30-40 cm, and in subsequent years - up to 50 cm.
There is also a need to prune an adult plant in autumn, leaving a stem up to 10 cm long. It will gratefully respond next year with a good harvest, and it is easier to cover shortened asparagus with a 10-centimeter layer of peat for the winter. In winter, it will protect from frost, and in spring it will become an excellent fertilizer, dissolved in melted snow.
Varieties of asparagus
The attention of modern breeders was also attracted by asparagus. Growing this vegetable at home has become very popular, so hybrid species have appeared, consisting exclusively of male plants. But traditional varieties are also popular with summer residents:
- Argentine asparagus. Cultivation of this species is preferable because of its early ripening. This plant grows 1.5-2 meters in height, has a powerful root, giving 40-50 buds, from which succulent shoots grow up to 2 cm in thickness by the beginning of May. High yield (up to 2 kg per 1 m2) makes it very popular with gardeners. You need to harvest on time, as this species grows up to 3 cm per day and quickly loses moisture. Collected shoots are recommended to be immediately put into plastic bags to better preserve the juicy asparagus.
- Growing at home varieties Tsarsky is also very popular. Its distinctive qualities are white tasty pulp and high productivity - up to 3 kg per 1 m2. The most tender shoots are good both boiled and fried.
- Depending on soil quality, Connovers Colossal is popular in sandy areas and Giant mammoth asparagus is popular in heavy areas. Growing and caring for them do not require additional efforts, except for fertilizing. Otherwise, care for these varieties is the same as care for the rest. Both species are distinguished by large shoots with excellent taste.
- Hybrid species, such as the Franklin variety, are represented only by male plants, which give a high early harvest with thick "fleshy" shoots. They are suitable not only for cooking, but also for freezing, in which all nutrients are preserved as much as possible.
Almost all breeding varieties are represented by male plants with high yields. If you choose to grow asparagus as a business, it is recommended to plant them, but with different ripening periods. Each harvest takes 6 to 8 weeks, so it's possible to get this vegetable to market without interruption.
Pursuing hybrid varieties, it should be remembered that they reproduce exclusively by dividing the rhizome, not like Argentella asparagus. Growing from seeds of plants of non-breeding species requires the use of greenhouses to increase the yield. But, regardless of the variety, both of them give a harvest in the second year.
Diseases and pests
Although asparagus, the cultivation of which has become popular among summer residents, is an unpretentious plant, it can also develop diseases, and the plant is often attacked by pests.
For example, asparagus rattle larvae feeding on a plant can destroy an entire plantation if rescue spraying with karbofos or similar agents is not carried out in time.
Of the diseases, rust is considered the most common - a fungus that affects its stems. It all starts with a few small red spots on the leaves, and by the end of summer all the leaves will already turn yellow from infection. Even if the plant does not die, the yield and quality of the product will decrease significantly. You can get rid of this fungus or prevent it with diligence and diligence. It is enough to raise the ridges, loosen the soil and make sure that the water does not stagnate.
Another unpleasant disease is root rot, due to which the neck of the plant acquires a purple color. To avoid it, it is recommended to change the location of the beds every 5-7 years and be careful when planting. If the root has been damaged, then there is a threat of disease. After transplanting healthy plants, it is recommended to spray them with 1% Bordeaux mixture, and lime the contaminated soil.
Known to many gardeners, the asparagus fly lays its eggs in this vegetable, which can destroy the entire crop. The larva loves the juicy flesh of the asparagus and gnaws tunnels out of the escape passages. The only way to get rid of them is to dig up and burn damaged plants. As a preventive measure, deep digging of row spacings in the fall helps.
Another favorite of asparagus is slugs, which prefer young sprouts. To prevent their occurrence, special granules should be poured around the area in advance.
Harvest and storage
Many entrepreneurs are beginning to realize that the industrial cultivation of asparagus is a profitable business. It does not make a profit right away, since you have to wait 2-3 years for the harvest, but if you follow the technology of planting and caring for this vegetable, it will bear fruit for 15-20 years.
Asparagus is in high demand in the restaurant business and from manufacturers healthy eating, so its cost is quite high per kilogram. In addition to selling fresh shoots, the collection of which lasts only 2 months - from May to the end of June, you can earn in another way - by freezing and canning them, selling the finished products after.
This plant is quite unpretentious, but you need to harvest it correctly, otherwise you can be left with nothing next year.
- First, you should not miss the beginning of the harvest. The vegetable will let you know. When the earth begins to crack and rise in the garden, it means that it is ripe. In order for the shoots to remain light and not turn green, in late April - early May, you need to spud the plant. If there is no time for this, then it is enough to cover it with a black film on sunny days. This will not only “whiten” the vegetable, but also speed up its ripening.
- Secondly, the length of the shoot ready for cutting should be 15-20 cm with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm.
- Thirdly, it is necessary to carefully dig and cut the stems with a special knife or break them off, after which the root is again covered with earth.
Asparagus shoots in well fertilized soil and with regular watering grow from 3 cm per day, so the crop is harvested on average every 2 days if it is cloudy, and daily if it is sunny. A lot depends on the climate. For example, in the southern regions, asparagus is cut twice a day. Growing in the suburbs, where the climate is cooler, makes it possible to harvest every day. In areas with short, cool summers, the shoots ripen more slowly, so even 2-3 days can pass between cutting.
It is important to remember that asparagus loses its medicinal and vitamin properties within a few hours, so its use or sale must be established. This vegetable is well stored, preserving all its nutritional qualities when frozen or canned. Since it is beginning to be in increasing demand, it will be easy to find customers for this product.
permaculture system
In the 21st century, a new direction has appeared in the farming system - permoculture, which is based on "communities" of plants grown in a single space. At the same time, preference is not given to any one culture, as is usually the case, but there is a combination of garden, garden and meadow plants throughout the site.
The main conditions for conducting such agriculture are big square land, not less than a hectare, and climate change within it. So, in the southern regions it should be made more humid, for which they create a stepped system artificial ponds. Evaporation of water provides the necessary level of moisture, and these reservoirs are used for irrigation and fish breeding.
So that the banks of the ponds do not erode, they are planted with a mixture of grain and leguminous plants. At some distance from them you can plant fruit trees and shrubs that protect the site from the winds and create additional shade.
In the northern regions, it is necessary to increase the air temperature, for which stones are laid around the perimeter and along the site itself different size. They cover plants from cold winds, and heated by the sun, give them their warmth.
Sowing on prepared land is carried out in April, for which seed plants are planted on the ridges - beans, corn, peas, pumpkin, sunflowers, watermelons, asparagus. Growing from seeds (permaculture involves stepped planting) goes on one tier, on the other you can plant potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables.
Such a multi-tiered planting allows you to collect large crops in due time on each of the ridges. This innovation is especially interesting for those who prefer to spend their time on many cultures - from medicinal herbs and vegetables to cereals, berries and fruits.
The seedless way to grow asparagus
For gardeners who do not have large stock time, the most “lazy” one is suitable - the natural way of planting this vegetable. It turns out that if you collect and bury the fruits of asparagus on a site that has been chosen and prepared in advance in the fall, they will sprout perfectly on their own. At the same time, the care of the summer resident will be the usual weeding, loosening the soil and watering.
Asparagus planted in this way gives a harvest in the second year, if the region is southern. Additional fertilizers are desirable, especially if the soil is poor or depleted. The natural method, as the example of some summer residents shows, allows you to collect asparagus fruits every autumn and sow new areas with them. Considering that this vegetable is not only healthy, but also expensive, it is profitable to do this both for the sake of profit and for your own consumption and savings.
Asparagus is a perennial plant that provides valuable vitamin production in early spring, along with sorrel and rhubarb. In stores, its juicy shoots are either not sold or are expensive. More often you can find soy asparagus, which has nothing to do with real. This ancient and forgotten culture in Europe today was called the royal vegetable. There are many more reasons gardeners grow asparagus, but chief among them is pleasant taste its shoots and the high content of useful substances in them.
About the benefits of asparagus
Asparagus is not a novelty, but a forgotten and revived plant. In the gardens laid back in Soviet times, you can find low, openwork bushes with leaves that look like Christmas trees and red round fruits. This is the asparagus. In one place, it grows for 20 years or more. Few people knew about its useful nutritional properties, therefore, grown solely because of the high decorativeness. Lush twigs, decorated with scarlet beads, were generously added to bouquets for the background.
By the end of summer - the beginning of autumn, asparagus turns into ornamental bush with lush twigs and bright fruits
Grocery stores and supermarkets sell a product called asparagus or asparagus salad. Read the ingredients carefully, if listed. In most cases, this is fuju, a film taken from boiling soy milk. Naturally, such a product has nothing to do with real asparagus.
Fuzhu is a soy product that is mistakenly called asparagus.
Today, asparagus is grown as a vegetable plant. Seeds are sold in the store, and in large assortment: green, white Arzhentelskaya, violet, Royal, Pleasure, etc. The color in this case indicates the color of young and juicy shoots that appear in spring. They are used for food. They taste like green peas.
Asparagus grown from seeds gives its first harvest at the age of three years, when it develops into a powerful bush. But then for decades you will receive spring products, rich in vitamins and minerals.
Asparagus flavor different varieties different from each other - from neutral to bitter
Asparagus contains vitamins PP, A, C, E, group B, as well as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, zinc, proteins and carbohydrates. Each substance has its own beneficial effect on the body: blood vessels expand, pressure decreases, ammonia is excreted, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract improves. Asparagus has a weak diuretic property, promotes the restoration of bone tissue, helps to cope with stress. The juice is used externally for cosmetic purposes.
Video: harvesting asparagus
If you already have old bush asparagus, it can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. But it is better to buy the seeds of any vegetable variety, bred specifically for obtaining large and tasty shoots. There is one peculiarity in growing asparagus from seeds - for many gardeners, it sprouts slowly or does not sprout at all. Moreover, a negative result is observed with different sowing methods: in autumn in open ground, in spring in a greenhouse, in early spring in pots for seedlings. But success can be achieved by relying on the experience of those who managed to get small asparagus sprouts.
Asparagus seeds are comparable in size to radish or radish seeds
Sprouting seeds in the sand
This method allows you to simultaneously germinate the seeds and get seedlings. Start sowing in early March. You will need:
- seeds;
- plastic disposable container with a lid;
- river sand of any fraction, you can not take construction with clay.
If the sand is damp, smells of mold or rot, heat it in the oven or on the grill. When steam comes out of the sand, it means that it has heated up to 100 ⁰C, disinfection was successful. Let this soil cool down and start sowing.
To sow asparagus seeds, you will need: an empty plastic container, sand and seeds
Steps for planting asparagus in the sand:
The traditional method involves sowing in the ground with deepening. Seeds as a result of watering go to different depths, so seedlings appear unfriendly. The ones closest to the surface germinate first. The latter may appear in a month or even die, because as a result of picking already grown asparagus, you may not notice and damage the seeds that have hatched later.
Benefits of surface seeding:
- All seeds are in equal conditions, at the same depth, so they germinate almost simultaneously.
- The whole process of germination takes place before your eyes: the swelling of seeds, the appearance of the beginnings of roots and shoots, shoots, their growth.
- Even if some plants are ahead of others in development, you can transplant them carefully without damaging the rest of the seeds, since they are clearly visible on the surface.
Video: planting seeds without pre-germination
picking
You need to dive asparagus seedlings when they close up and begin to crowd and shade each other. Can be transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of 5–6 cm or into a common seedling box so that each plant receives a feeding area of 5x5 cm. Asparagus loves loose and fertile soil. Make a mixture of garden soil with peat and humus in equal proportions. You can buy ready-made in the store universal primer for seedlings.
Spend a pick in the usual way: gently pry with a spoon or fork, remove the root along with a clod of earth, make a hole in a new container and plant. Sprouts can be slightly deepened.
The roots of asparagus seedlings are large and strong, often reaching the same length as the aerial part, so deep dive cups are needed
Do not worry if the seedlings are stretched out and lie on the ground. This is the peculiarity of asparagus, its branches are long and thin. After transplanting into open ground, the plants will quickly turn into small lush bushes.
Seedling care at home
Shoots of asparagus appear in mid-March, and in open ground in middle lane they can be planted when the threat of frost has passed, that is, in late May - early June. This means that the seedlings will be on the windowsill for 70-80 days. It's pretty extended period, so the plants in room conditions full care is required.
- Watering should be moderate, after the topsoil has dried out. Asparagus does not need constant soil moisture, its leaves look like needles, which minimizes moisture evaporation. The root is long, capable of pumping water from the very depths of the pot.
- Give the first top dressing 1-2 weeks after picking and repeat every 10 days. Ideal fit complex fertilizer Fertika Lux for seedlings (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water). Remember: any plant is better to underfeed than overfeed, do not exceed the dosage, it is better to take a smaller amount of fertilizer.
- Asparagus loves sunlight, but grows well in partial shade or in places where the sun shines brightly only part of the day. Therefore, backlighting is not required. On the windowsill every day turn it with different sides to the window glass. With the onset of warm days, take the seedlings to the balcony or open the windows. Keep plants warm at night.
After planting in open ground, continue to care for asparagus: fill the soil with humus, water, weed out. After 2-3 years, you will be able to enjoy the first sweet shoots. Asparagus is fried like potatoes, boiled and eaten raw.
Video: delicious and simple asparagus dish
Asparagus - very interesting plant, in spring you can eat its shoots, in summer and autumn - decorate bouquets with them. In care, the culture is unpretentious, it is very easy to get the seeds. Therefore, gardeners have no obstacles in the way of growing this royal vegetable.
My hobbies: crop production, healthy lifestyle, Tibetan medicine, home winemaking. Trade manager by education.
This plant scientific name of which asparagus is a very popular vegetable and has more than two hundred varieties. It can be an herb, a shrub or a vegetable, which is one of the most useful and especially tasty foods.
How does asparagus grow?
Most often on sale there are white, purple and green vegetable asparagus. At the same time, the way it is grown completely affects the taste and color of the product.
To obtain white shoots, they are constantly spudded and protected from sunlight. If the sprouts are covered with earth gradually, leaving them in the sun, then the tops of the plant acquire a bright purple hue. Green asparagus is grown outdoors without hilling.
The shoots of this plant contain folic, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, choline, copper, thiamine, iron, niacin, potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus and selenium, trace elements vital to the human body.
Most often in Russia, the variety is grown - Arzhentel asparagus. This plant has many attractive characteristics. It contains a large number of useful amino acids and vitamins, indispensable elements in the diet. Asparagus argentella is able to bear fruit for almost two decades, has male and female stems. The main disadvantage of this variety is this is the minimum thickness of the shoots.
Gallery: asparagus vegetable (25 photos)
What does asparagus look like?
It's perennial herbaceous plant, up to 1.5 m high, which grows quietly in one place, forming more than 50 shoots.
Young shoots of asparagus are eaten just emerged from the ground. If buds begin to bloom on the shoot, the asparagus becomes tough and unfit for food. One plant produces 9 - 12 shoots per season, which explains the high cost of this vegetable.
Where does asparagus grow?
Asparagus is a dioecious, unpretentious and cold-resistant plant. It grows well throughout Europe, in Asia, Africa and even Siberia.
In the home gardens of our country, a plant asparagus is quite a rare guest, but growing it in our climate is quite simple. It prefers sunny places and fertile soil without weeds.
How to grow asparagus from seeds
Growing asparagus from seeds in the open field takes a long time, so it is preferable to germinate seedlings first.
Asparagus seeds before planting must be kept in warm water about 3-4 days, while changing the water twice a day. Then the swollen seeds must be laid out on a damp cloth and wait until the bores hatch from them.
The soil for seedlings should consist of two parts of sand, one part fertile land, peat and manure. Seeds with bores up to 3 mm are planted in prepared boxes at a depth of 1.5 - 2 cm and a distance of six centimeters from each other. The boxes are left in a well-lit place, at temperatures up to 25 C. Plants require daily watering.
Compliance with such conditions guarantees the emergence of seedlings for 7-10 days after planting. The sprouts that appear should be sprinkled with a little peat, and after two weeks they should be fed with complex mineral fertilizer.
When the sprouts reach 15 cm, you need to transplant them into a large box at a distance of 10 cm from each other. When picking, you need to shorten the asparagus root a little and feed the plants 3 to 4 days after the procedure. After a week, you need to start hardening activities, and only after that the asparagus can remain outdoors.
How to grow asparagus outdoors?
In open ground the plant must be planted in early June, preferably closer to the wall of the house or the fence. It does not tolerate waterlogging, so you need to carefully approach the choice of a place for planting it.
The site for planting asparagus is best prepared in the fall. Thoroughly clean it of weeds, dig and make compost. In the spring, after the snow melts, the site must be harrowed and 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 60 g of wood ash should be applied for each m².
Before planting, holes are made in clean dug up and loose soil 30 deep and 40 cm wide at a distance of one meter from each other. The bottom of the hole must be loosened and filled to the brim with soil. On the formed mound, you need to install a seedling, shortening its root to 3-4 cm, compact and water.
Care and cultivation of asparagus
Asparagus is not a very capricious plant to care for. It is enough time to water, loosen, weed and feed it. It is important when loosening and weeding not to harm the root system of the plant.
For the first ten days after planting, the asparagus should be watered abundantly every day. Then the amount of water is gradually reduced, while the soil should always remain slightly moist so that the shoots do not become bitter.
To accelerate the growth of shoots, after the first weeding, you need to water the plant with a solution of manure (1: 6). After 20 days, it can be fed with a solution of bird droppings (1:10). Before the first frost, the last top dressing is applied, which consists of a complex mineral fertilizer.
How to grow asparagus in the garden - diseases and pests
This plant is quite resistant to diseases, therefore it is becoming popular in the gardens of our country, but also its hit from time to time:
- Root rot (fusarium) is the most harmful disease affecting numerous plant species. It appears on asparagus, for the same reasons as rust.
- Rust is a common fungal disease which inhibits the development of the plant. The disease usually affects a vegetable that grows in areas with poor moisture-absorbing soil, groundwater is high in places and during the frequent rainy season.
- Rhizoctonia is often a disease of root crops, which rarely affects asparagus.
Growing asparagus in a private garden is rarely attacked by pests, but it still has a couple of enemies:
- Asparagus leaf beetle, which was brought from Western Europe along with this plant. This is a dark blue beetle with a red border on the back, which feeds on berries, flowers and vegetable tops.
- The asparagus fly is a small brown insect with yellow limbs that actively eats asparagus shoots and makes moves in them, thereby destroying the plant.
Rid this culture of disease help spring and autumn preventive spraying with Bordeaux liquid and other fungicides - Fitosporin, Topaz, Topsin M.
In the fight against insects, the treatment of the plant with Karbofos (a low-toxic, odorless drug) gives an excellent effect. They process asparagus with it at the first appearance of pests, and when oviposition is found, they must be removed and burned. Weeds should not be allowed to appear in the place where the asparagus grows, and the dead parts of the shoots of the plant itself should also be destroyed.
Harvesting
For the first 3-5 years, up to 2 kg per square meter of land can be harvested from the asparagus plot, in the subsequent this figure will grow to 5 kg. The harvest will become larger if organic fertilizers are applied annually to the soil and the mound of earth is increased during hilling.
The first shoots are cut only in the third year of growing vegetables in one place. This should not be done before, so that the rhizome can get stronger. Shoots from the hilled earth up to 20 cm tall begin to be cut in May, for which the earth is carefully raked and small stumps are left. After cutting, the rhizome should be covered with humus or peat compost.
When harvesting asparagus it is important to cut the shoots before the moment when their heads open. Harvesting takes place about one and a half months, in the morning or in the evening after one or two days. In the first year allowed for collection, no more than 5 shoots should be removed from one bush, and as the plants mature, their number will increase to 30.
Storage
This vegetable cannot be stored for a long time. The shoots are wrapped in a damp cloth and left in the refrigerator. Asparagus absorbs odors very well, so you should not keep it with strong-smelling foods nearby. It is necessary to lay the shoots strictly vertically, in a different position they are strongly curved.
reproduction
To do this, in early spring, the rhizome of a plant no older than three years is dug up and cut into several parts so that each division has five to six developed buds.
The most valuable are small, but elastic thick roots with a well-developed horizontal structure. Delenki are immediately planted in a permanent place and then grown as seedlings after transplantation.
Distillation
In winter, asparagus is obtained by forcing shoots from rhizomes. For this purpose, plants older than five years are dug up before the onset of frost and stored at a temperature of 0 to 2 degrees. The plant is planted in boxes or a greenhouse close to each other (15-20 roots per square meter) and a layer of humus is poured on top.
Distillation begins in November-December. Boxes need to be covered with black film and maintained for 8-10 days temperature regime no higher than 10 degrees. After the formation of roots, you need to raise the temperature to 18 degrees.
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The plant genus Asparagus or Asparagus belongs to the asparagus family and has more than 300 species. IN wild nature Asparagus can be found in the European part of Russia and the Caucasus, most often in arid regions. The plant is cultivated in Western Europe, Japan, India, USA, China. There was a time when asparagus belonged to the lily family, but now it has its own asparagus family.
Asparagus is perennial plant. Outwardly, it is branched grasses and shrubs, and sometimes lianas. Asparagus has a very developed root system.
Description
Asparagus has highly branched stems that can grow up to one and a half meters high. Most plants lack green leaves, and the species that do have them tend to grow underdeveloped and very small.
At their base, the leaves form hard spurs. There are very small flowers, which are usually concentrated in the axils of the leaves. Flowers grow in thyroid or racemose inflorescences.
Asparagus flowers can be either unisexual or bisexual. The flowers have six petals arranged in two rows.
Most common indoors Asparagus vulgaris. They are also planted in vegetable gardens in the form of a vegetable, and are also often used in making bouquets of flowers. This species was discovered more than 2000 years ago.
At times ancient egypt asparagus was grown as a vegetable, used for medicinal purposes, or simply as an ornamental plant. Roots of Asparagus vulgaris rich in nutrients including vitamin C.
Now let's take a closer look at how to grow Asparagus at home and in the open field.
Growing asparagus: how to grow asparagus from seed, planting and care
by the most the easy way landing Asparagus - landing seeds. Such seeds can be purchased at any specialized store. Asparagus seeds are quite large, and their sowing will not cause any difficulties.
Asparagus is planted in early spring. Seeds are sown in light moist soil. The substrate should consist of equal parts of fertile earth and sand. Seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. Then the container is covered from above with glass or a transparent film. The container with sown Asparagus is removed into the room with room temperature and sufficient light. If excess condensation appears on the glass, the glass must be removed for a short time. The first shoots of Asparagus will be visible in a month.
Location and lighting in the home
Asparagus - very light-loving plant, so he prefers a fairly well-lit place. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. In particular, this applies summer period when the day is especially long.
A pot with Asparagus will feel good on the east and west sides. If the plant is placed on south side, then its necessary shade and create diffused lighting to avoid direct sunlight. IN summer time Asparagus can be taken out on open air, also placing in partial shade.
pot size
Asparagus pot size directly depends on the type of plant. If the plant was purchased in a store, then it is better to immediately transplant it into a new pot. But so that it does not differ much in size from the previous one, so you should not pick up a pot for Asparagus with a margin.
Otherwise, it can lead to acidification of the soil and the death of the plant. The shape of the pot also does not play any role. This most often depends on where Asparagus will be placed or on decorative preferences. Some types of Asparagus look very attractive in:
- hanging planters;
- miniature pots on the windowsills;
- large pots on the floor.
Soil for growing
asparagus very unpretentious in terms of soil. Part of the land can be taken from the garden or garden, add some deciduous soil, which can be taken in the forest or park. A little coarse sand can be added to the mixture, which will crush the substrate.
This soil mixture provides Asparagus with all necessary nutrients and also promotes moisture and air to circulate freely. It will be very good if you put a thin layer of pieces on the bottom of the pot charcoal . This will prevent the process of decay in the soil and the development of fungal diseases. Thus, compliance with the composition of the soil will significantly affect the health of the plant.
Transplantation and care after it
Before transplanting, necessary prepare a new pot and soil in advance. Then Asparagus is carefully removed from the container without damaging the root system. You can knock on the walls of the pot, turn it over and carefully remove the earthen ball.
If after such a procedure, the plant is still difficult to remove, then it is necessary to water the soil so that it is very wet. A small stone or expanded clay is poured into the bottom of the new pot as drainage, which will allow the water to drain freely in the water and not stagnate in the pot.
Next, a layer of substrate is poured into the pot. At Asparagus attentively the root system is inspected, the damaged roots are removed. The old soil is shaken off the roots. Then the plant is placed in a new pot, carefully straightening the root system. The soil is gradually poured from above. You can’t crush the soil, but you shouldn’t leave air voids either. final stage transplantation will become watering Asparagus warm infused water. After transplanting, the plant must be placed in a shaded place for a couple of days.
Fertilizers and top dressing - the key to successful cultivation
Care and cultivation of asparagus also requires regular feeding. During the intensive growth of Asparagus, concentrated fertilizers must be added during irrigation in water. The frequency with which it is worth feeding the plant depends on the time of year and the condition of Asparagus itself.
Plants usually start feed in early spring, and finish top dressing in late autumn. In winter, when the dormant period for Asparagus sets in, it is not recommended to feed the plant, and the watering itself should be reduced. In the summer, when Asparagus is outside, it can be fed with organic fertilizers. Good for chicken manure.
It is also worth remembering that the first two months after transplantation, Asparagus should not be fed. During feeding strictly observe the concentration, following the instructions on the package, otherwise you can burn the root system of the plant.
The first sign of presence spider mite will change the color of Asparagus leaves. They will become yellow color and start to dry out a bit. Between the leaves you can see a small cobweb. Small white cotton specks also appear on the leaves of the plant.
When attacked by a pest, Asparagus leaves must be wiped soapy water . If this method no longer helps, then you can turn to insecticides for help. But it is worth remembering that Asparagus does not tolerate processing well. chemicals so it is best to avoid infecting the plant spider mite subject to temperature conditions.
Growing asparagus outdoors
But how to plant and grow Asparagus in the open field?
Bloom
Whatever the care and maintenance, at home is very difficult achieve flowering of Asparagus, even if all the necessary conditions will be respected. But if it is possible to achieve a flowering plant, then the flowers look rather inconspicuous.
Outwardly, they are very small. flowers white color , which are formed on the upper segment of the shoots. After some time, after artificial pollination, the flowers form into small red fruits, reminiscent of an orange in aroma. It is worth avoiding getting these berries into the hands of young children, because Asparagus fruits are poisonous.
reproduction
There are three main ways to propagate asparagus:
rest period
The dormant period for Asparagus is from November to early March. At this time, the plant must be provided with sufficient air humidity, as well as watering should be reduced. Feed the plant during dormancy No need.
Plant toxicity / beneficial properties
Asparagus berries are poisonous, so the plant should be placed further or higher so that its fruits are not accessible to young children.
Asparagus is a dioecious herbaceous crop, as it has both male and female plants. In order to on your suburban area When growing asparagus, only male plants should be planted because they are the most productive. Women are grown for the purpose of obtaining seeds.
Medicinal asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is cultivated in the country as a vegetable, and is also used in the design of bouquets. It has been known to mankind for over 2,000 years. It has been grown since ancient Egypt. In the territory Ancient Greece wreaths for newlyweds were woven from it, and during the Middle Ages, Europeans considered it an excellent aphrodisiac. IN Russian Empire asparagus began to be grown, like many other vegetables, only with early XVIII century, after the great Petrine reforms.
Soups and salads are prepared from asparagus, which are recommended for diseases of the liver and kidneys. It contains a large amount of asparagine, and therefore it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart muscle and contributes to correct work kidneys.
To grow asparagus, you first need to prepare two-year-old seedlings - this is the only way to identify and separate male plants from female plants, which are more productive in asparagus. In the first season after planting, plants of different sexes can hardly be distinguished from each other, since they grow almost the same in size.
When to plant asparagus seeds?
Asparagus seedlings are grown outdoors. After warming up the soil to + 10-15 ° C, seeds are sown. For the Central Black Earth region and the Moscow region, this is 2-3 decades of May.
Seed preparation before planting
For 2-3 days before sowing, the seeds must be soaked in warm water. Water should be changed daily, then the seeds are dried to a loose state.
Growing asparagus from seed
Asparagus seeds are sown in rows to a depth of 3 cm with a row spacing of 20-30 cm. The seeding rate is 5-10 grams per 10 m2. Shoots should appear 2-3 weeks after sowing. They need to be thinned out at a distance of 10 cm from each other when they reach a height of 10 cm.
Caring for Asparagus Seedlings
Seedlings need to be watered, loosened and weeds removed from the rows.
Top dressing asparagus seedlings
It is necessary to fertilize twice a season with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, slurry or bird droppings. Fertilizer consumption is 0.3 liters per 1 meter of row.
Preparing asparagus for the winter
Closer to autumn, asparagus forms a rhizome, and several stems from 25 to 40 cm high appear. Before frost, the asparagus shoots are cut, leaving 10 cm above the ground, and the rhizome is added dropwise with soil, forming a mound 30 centimeters high. This will further protect the plant from freezing of the roots; it can also be laid out on top with rotted compost or mulch.
Spring transplant of biennial seedlings
In the spring, biennial seedlings need to be dug up and transplanted to a permanent place of growth. The recommended transplantation time is the first half of May. Before planting, the roots are shortened in length to about 3-4 centimeters. A distance of 30 cm between plants must be observed. After disembarking, be sure to shed from the watering can with top dressing.
When can we expect the asparagus harvest?
Asparagus yields only in the 3rd year, starting from April-May. Once fully established, asparagus produces edible shoots every spring for 12-25 years. Do not forget to timely loosen between rows, remove weeds and fertilize with nitrogenous fertilizers at the rate of 25 grams per 1 m2.
Autumn processing rows of asparagus
In autumn, the aisles need to be dug up, dried stems cut off, and for wintering, cover the rows with a layer of humus 5-7 cm high.
The business in the field of growing vegetables and fruits has been and remains profitable at any time of the year. In a previous publication, we considered the idea, in today's article, let's talk about asparagus and how to make money on it.
Fans of Korean cuisine have probably tried such a dish as asparagus. This delicacy can be purchased at any major supermarket. Asparagus are long, porous pieces beige colour, as a rule, are sold in pickled form. Many fans of this dish mistakenly believe that this is a ready-made Korean dish that is eaten with asparagus and is made from a plant. In fact, this Korean delicacy has nothing to do with asparagus.
The famous Korean salads are made from fuju - a film of soy milk. And real asparagus (asparagus) is a low plant that lives in areas with a warm and dry climate.
What are the benefits of asparagus?
Asparagus is a healthy plant with excellent taste. Asparagus is used to prepare a variety of dishes. There are many unique and delicious recipes cooking asparagus. It can be stewed with vegetables and served as a side dish for meat, used as an ingredient in pizza, marinated, prepared in salads and cold appetizers.
What are the benefits of asparagus? In addition to high palatability, this plant has many useful properties. Regular consumption of this vegetable improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, increases the functionality of the liver, kidneys and heart.
Dishes prepared from young shoots of asparagus are considered low-calorie, they are recommended for people who want to lose weight and those who care about nutrition and lead healthy lifestyle life.
Growing asparagus at home
Growing full-fledged asparagus at home is not difficult. This plant is unpretentious, does not require much care and is perfect for growing at home in areas with a warm, favorable climate.
Growing asparagus from seed
You can breed and grow asparagus from seeds. This is a simple process, but it requires you to carefully follow all the instructions, so before you start growing asparagus from seeds, study all the details.
First of all, it is necessary to fertilize the land in order to prepare it for growing a plant. About 5 rows can be made on one bed, but be sure to keep a distance of about 15 cm from each other. Seeds should be lowered into the ground to a depth of approximately 4 cm. It is advisable to cover the bed with a layer of humus from above. If you sow the seeds in early spring, you will get seedlings in the fall.
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Asparagus growing and care at home
Seedlings of asparagus in the garden should be arranged in three rows, keeping a distance of about 40 cm between plants. In addition, asparagus seedlings can be planted in a checkerboard pattern (nests), keeping a distance of about 90 cm.
After the seedlings are planted in fertilized soil, the plant should be watered for 2 weeks. After the expiration this period, on top of the hole you need to fill it with manure. Further care for asparagus is the removal of weeds by weeding the beds and loosening the earth.
It is worth noting that you will receive the first harvest of asparagus not earlier than three years after planting the seedlings.
A very important point is the harvest, which must be carried out on time, otherwise the asparagus will lose its marketable appearance, and it will not be possible to sell it.
The first crop of asparagus must be harvested before the shoots appear above the ground. That is, for cooking, only those shoots that have not yet had time to grow out of the ground are suitable. To understand that the asparagus crop is ripe, take a closer look at the beds. A mature plant slightly raises the soil and cracks appear in the ground. This means that the asparagus crop must be dug up immediately.
When selling asparagus, certain standards must be taken into account. According to the norms, the length of the asparagus shoots should be 22 centimeters, and the diameter should be about 1.5–2.5 cm. A significant deviation from the standards significantly reduces the cost of the product, and it will be more difficult to sell it.
Harvesting of asparagus is carried out for 1-1.5 months. Ready shoots of asparagus must be quickly sold, their shelf life is no more than 4 days.
Growing asparagus as a business: pros and cons
Having studied the process of growing and caring for asparagus, we should talk about how to profit from this business. How much can you earn selling asparagus and is it profitable?
Benefits of an Asparagus Farming Business for Sale
- Small investment. The process of growing asparagus is simple and low-cost. This plant is quite realistic to grow at home in your garden. You will not incur any special material costs. All that is needed is a suitable plot of land with fertile soil, money to purchase fertilizer, and physical investment in the form of tillage, maintenance and harvesting.
- Little competition in this area of business. It is impossible not to note such an important advantage. Today, it is quite difficult to find a profitable field of activity with a minimum level of competition.
- Great demand and high cost of production. Asparagus is in great demand among the population, and many restaurants offer their visitors delicious asparagus dishes. Despite the high cost of production, many people use it, asparagus is valued due to its usefulness and low calorie content.
Cons of growing asparagus at home
- Technology of cultivation and care. This plant is easy to grow, but you need to follow all the rules. It is also very important not to miss the moment of harvesting, because it is rather problematic to sell products that have lost their presentation.
- Business payback periods. Growing asparagus is a long process, so you should not expect quick profits in this business. Only three years after planting asparagus seedlings, you will receive products that will meet the standards and can be sold.
Realization of the asparagus crop
Naturally, you are interested in the question of product distribution channels, price and income from this business.
Own shop or stall selling vegetables. If, in addition to growing asparagus, you are also growing other vegetables or fruits, then it is quite cost-effective to open your own stall or shop. Fresh, natural products from the garden will certainly attract visitors, and your product will sell instantly.
Wholesale. If you are engaged exclusively in the cultivation of asparagus, then the harvest should be realized through the conclusion of contracts for the supply of products with shops (supermarkets), restaurants and sanatoriums.
Consider the nuance that you need to realize the harvest quickly, otherwise the asparagus will lose its presentation, and you will lose money. It is desirable that asparagus hit the store shelves immediately after harvesting from the garden.
Therefore, it is worth finding customers and concluding agreements with them in advance, even at the stage of planting asparagus seedlings.
Profits from the asparagus business
Your income will depend on the profitability of selling products. The cost of asparagus in the supermarket is about 500 - 1000 rubles per kilogram.
Thus, we can conclude that this business is profitable, low-cost and affordable due to the low level of competition.
Find out if asparagus grows well in your area. Asparagus grows best in areas that experience either cold winters during which the ground freezes or very dry summers. Asparagus is a hardy and adaptable plant, but is much more difficult to grow in areas with mild winters and wet summers.
Decide whether to plant seeds or rhizomes. Asparagus seeds need to grow for 3 years before they can be harvested. During the first season, the seeds germinate and grow, and after that they take 2 years to establish long, spongy roots deep into the soil. When you plant a rhizome, you will skip the first season and go straight to rooting, so you only have to wait 2 years.
Asparagus seeds have a low germination rate, so it's hard to know exactly how many plants will eventually germinate. However, seeds that do take root tend to develop into hardy plants that take longer to grow and produce more edible shoots than plants that grow from rhizomes.
- Young asparagus, which has celebrated its second anniversary, supposedly allows harvesting edible shoots just a year after planting. However, the process of transplanting asparagus after it has established its roots can damage them, and asparagus still needs to grow for two years in the same soil before it reaches full maturity.
Choose a seat for the asparagus. Since asparagus can produce edible shoots for a very long time (up to 25 years), choose a site that you are willing to give the asparagus for a very long time. for a long time. This area must meet the following specifications:
- Abundant sun. Asparagus grows best in sunny locations. Since planting begins in early spring, choose a site near trees that will not yet have leaves. Just make sure the asparagus patch isn't shaded by trees or a building.
- Drain the soil well. The soil should be loose and have excellent drainage. Asparagus will rot in waterlogged soil.
- Plant in raised beds. This is not necessary as asparagus grows well in the ground, but it is easier to keep the beds free of weeds and flooding when the water rises.
Buy asparagus seeds or rhizomes. Asparagus seeds and rhizomes can be purchased from home and garden stores, nurseries, or online. Seeds available all year round, and the rhizomes tend to go on sale in very early spring, just before planting.
- Asparagus - monoecious plant, which means that each plant is male or female. Female plants put energy into seed production, so they don't produce as many edible shoots as male plants. Some varieties of asparagus have been bred to produce only male plants. If you choose one of these, you only need to plant half as many rhizomes as if you chose the mixed variety.
- Asparagus seeds are not usually separated by sex, so female plants are weeded out as soon as they germinate.
- Choose varieties that are resistant to rust, such as one of the many "Jersey" or "Mary Washington" varieties.
- If you buy rhizomes, look for healthy-looking roots that are grayish brown in color, large and full. Buy them the day before planting.
- Purple asparagus and other elite varieties are available from nurseries. You can create white asparagus by protecting the shoots from the sun with soil.
To begin with, it is unlikely that it will be possible to grow a full-fledged asparagus suitable for food on the windowsill. Too much space required her long root. Because asparagus is often found in apartments as ornamental plant, it is customary to plant a vegetable crop on the beds.
- Asparagus seeds germinate for a very long time, so before sowing they are soaked in warm water for up to four days, changing the water twice a day. Moreover, the container with seedlings should be warm so that the water temperature does not decrease.
- After soaking, the swollen seeds are laid out on a damp burlap or other material and left for about a week until the sprouts hatch (periodically, the seed must be moistened).
- Young sprouts are planted in plastic cups or in a box filled with store-bought loose soil mixture. Between plants it is desirable to maintain a distance of 6 cm on each side. It is enough to bury the seeds in the ground by two centimeters, no more.
- Containers with seedlings should be placed in a well-lit place, and an additional source of light will not interfere, so that the plants gain strength faster.
- The emerging sprouts are lightly sprinkled with peat.
- After 10-15 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is applied to the ground.
- During the month, water the asparagus, carefully loosen the soil and turn the seedlings on different sides to the light for uniform growth.
- When the stems reach 15 cm in height, the plantings should be thinned out, leaving the healthiest specimens at a distance of 10 cm from each other.
During the month, water the asparagus, carefully loosen the soil and turn the seedlings on different sides to the light for uniform growth.
In the last days of May, seedlings must be hardened: every day, subject to good weather, put containers with plants outside. Start hardening from one hour and gradually increase to 12 hours. By the beginning of June, the seedlings will be completely ready for transplanting to their permanent place in the garden.
For young plants, beds 100 cm wide, 30 cm high will be enough. A distance of 40 cm should be left between seedlings, and up to 60 cm between rows.
More popular is the propagation of asparagus using segments of rhizomes with live buds. The survival rate of plants in this case is almost 100%. Planting with rhizomes is carried out both in spring and before winter. Let us consider in more detail the technology of planting asparagus in May.
Having chosen the strongest, fleshy rhizomes on the market, divide them into several parts. Carefully place each part in a previously dug hole 50 cm deep, on the bottom of which a mound of earth mixed with humus is poured. Thus, the seedling should be deepened by 25 cm. Optimal distance between the bushes is 15 cm, the intervals between rows are 50 cm.
Having chosen the strongest, fleshy rhizomes on the market, divide them into several parts.
When planting, try to spread the root system well, cover the rhizomes with a mixture of soil with humus from above and press down firmly. Then water the bed with some water.
Regardless of whether asparagus is planted with rhizomes or seeds, subsequent care for it will be the same. Immediately after planting on the plant site, it will be necessary to water abundantly for the first one and a half to two weeks, then sprinkle the holes with peat and reduce watering.
During the summer, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds, loosen the soil between the rows and water it from time to time so that the earth does not dry out, but it also cannot be waterlogged. To speed up the growth of shoots, after the first weeding, you can apply top dressing from slurry diluted with water (6 parts of water to 1 part of slurry) to the bed. After three weeks, it is recommended to feed the plants with bird droppings diluted 10 times with water. And already before the first frosts, the last top dressing with complex mineral fertilizer is carried out.
During the summer, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds, loosen the soil between rows and water from time to time.
For the winter, the upper part of the asparagus is cut off, leaving only "stumps" of 2.5 cm, which are spudded with earth, covered with humus and dry leaves on top. The aisles are covered with manure.
Caring for asparagus in the second year looks exactly the same as in the first. And no matter how much you would like to try juicy shoots, be patient until next year so that they are filled with strength and accumulate more vitamins. Premature cutting of the stems will simply nullify all your work.
In Europe, it is customary to cut asparagus shoots only when the height is at least 22 cm and the diameter is at least 1.6 cm.
In the third year, with the advent of spring, plantings will need to be spudded so that the asparagus grows long, straight, and its heads do not open ahead of time. Around the end of April, the time for harvesting the first harvest begins. Try not to miss the moment when the heads have not yet appeared above the surface, otherwise the shoots will lose their presentation, change color and become rough.
Video about growing asparagus in your garden
Readiness can be determined by cracking the ground above each plant. As soon as you notice that the soil has risen and cracks have appeared, then it's time to dig up the stems, cutting them to the very root. In warm weather, asparagus can be harvested every day or every other day. Just do not remove all the shoots at once, otherwise the plant may die.
After cutting the crop, level the bed, sprinkle with humus on top and slightly compact. In the future, care for asparagus is repeated, as in the first two years.
