Asparagusare one of the most fashionable early vegetables on our tables. The asparagus season is quite short, from mid-April to July. And the he althiest ones are self-cultivation. Therefore, we explain whatasparagus cultivation in the gardenand how to eat it to get the most out of itnutritional value of asparagusMeet the bestasparagus varieties for garden and plot cultivation.
Asparagus
Fig. pixabay.com
Medicinal asparagus(Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial plant from the Asparagaceae family, found in the wild state in almost all Europe and Central Asia.The above-ground, green part of asparagus dies down in autumn. It is sometimes used by florists as filling bouquets. Carp - perennial, thickened rhizomes - grow fleshy storage roots, growing to a width of about 2-2.5 m and a depth of about 3 m. Young shoots, the so-called the tabs that arethe edible part of asparagusThose that grow in the ground, without access to light are white, while those that grow above the ground - green. The tabs not collected in time become woody and lose their suitability for consumption.
Asparagus - nutritional values
Low-calorie asparagus has both dietary and healing properties. Ancient Greeks and Romans already appreciatedthe nutritional value of asparagusconsidering it a powerful aphrodisiac.
Asparagus contains a lot of minerals(potassium, magnesium, phosphorus) and vitamins (A, C, K and B). Asparagus is also a source of plant sterols (lower cholesterol) and folic acid, which is extremely important in the diet of future mothers.Asparagus can be used to treat arthritis and rheumatism as well as problems with memory and concentration.
However, not everyone canenjoy the taste of asparagusVegetables should be avoided by those suffering from gout. Due to the significant amount of purine compounds that form uric acid, consumption of asparagus can exacerbate the disease.
Asparagus
Fig. pixabay.com
How to eat asparagus?
Freshly harvested asparagusshould be cooled for a while, for example by immersing in cold water and consumed as soon as possible to prevent the formation of hard fibers at the base of the shoot. The tabs can also be frozen by immersing them in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, and then pouring them with cold water.
When buying asparagus, make sure that it is firm, shiny and has a closed head. If we notice that the shoots are pink, it means that the seller put them in the water to prolong their freshness.Such asparagus tastes worse.Green asparagus is the most delicate one , not even requiring peeling. Bleached asparagus is more stringy, but the stinging fibers are easily and quickly removed.
Asparagus can be prepared in many ways : steamed, baked, grilled or fried. It is recommended to cook them in s alted and sweetened boiling water. Cook the asparagus tabs in a bunch vertically. Their heads should protrude above the water surface.It is best to eat al dente boiled al dente , which means not too hard and not too soft. If we have to cut off the lower part due to fibrosis, do not get rid of it, but cook it separately for a little longer. After rubbing, these fragments can be used, for example, for soup - cream.
Asparagus
Fig. pixabay.com
Asparagus - cultivation
Asparagus requires a well-sunny positionand a soil that is light, permeable, fertile and rich in calcium.Heavy and wet lands are not suitable for asparagus cultivation.
The asparagus sitemust be well prepared: weeded (asparagus grows in one place for several years), fertilized with manure, compost and mineral fertilizers (phosphorus and magnesium). As szparagi do not tolerate acidic soils , when the pH of the soil is below 6-6.5, liming should be performed. If there is not enough manure, you can sow mustard, seradella, phacelia or cereals with legumes on green manure. Of course, we use sowing green fertilizers or manure in the year preceding the beginning of asparagus cultivation. The soil can be fertilized in spring, just before the asparagus planting.
Bestasparagus planting dateis the spring period from April to mid-May. One-year-old, he althy and firm carps are planted at a distance of 170x50 cm directly at the bottom of the furrow (20-25 cm deep, 40 cm wide) or on small mounds, approx. 8 cm high, at the bottom of the furrow.Asparagus for green tabs is planted in shallower furrows to a depth of 15-20 cm.
The asparagus planting depthis measured from the tops of the buds to the surface of the soil. Planting at the right depth helps you get earlier and higher yields than planting too deep. A too shallow planting leads to thinner projections and breaking shoots in summer.When planting asparagus carpfirst, carefully spread the roots, then cover the carp with a 5-10 cm layer of soil, pressing it to the bottom of the furrow.
Zagon with asparagus
Fig. andab3, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
In autumn, we cut and destroy above-ground shoots affected by diseases and pests.He althy asparagus sprouts should be left for the winter , because they keep snow and protect the carp from frost. It is especially important to protect young carp and spines that are sensitive to frost, which are easily damaged at temperatures below -5 ° C.
When to harvest asparagus?
The asparagus harvest beginsin the third year of cultivation. To get white tabs in early spring, we start the so-called. bleaching - over the carp by making embankments 50 cm wide and 25 cm high. Properly formed shafts have a trapezoidal cross-section.
The asparagus on the green projectionsshould be left unchanged, growing on a flat stand. However, it is recommended to form a slightly raised bed. As a result, thicker tabs are obtained, keeping the head tight for longer.
We start collecting asparagus in April(green slightly earlier than white) until the diameter of the tab exceeds the diameter of a pencil, and the head is still firm. The tabs should be about 20 cm long.The asparagus harvest periodcan take up to several weeks.
Bleached asparagusis most valuable when it does not break through the soil. That is why we start harvesting as soon as we notice that the ground is cracking.It is worth harvesting even twice a day. After parting the soil and cutting out the protrusions, we cover the carp and form a shaft. After the harvest is finished, we open the roller and fertilize all the plants with multi-component fertilizers.
Asparagus from the plot
Fig. Danka, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Asparagus - varieties
Within the species there arecompletely male and dioecious varieties of asparagus . Currently, male varieties are selected for production, which yield a year after planting and give a greater harvest. Their disadvantage is the price and the costly and labor-intensive cultivation.
Asparagus varieties are divided according to:
- harvest date : very early, early, mid-early and late,
- thickness of the tabs : thin (less than 14 mm), medium (14-24 mm), thick (24-30 mm) and very thick (more than 30 mm).
In Poland, varieties of asparagus are grownGerman and Dutch producers, which adapt best to our climate. The most popular are 'Gijnlim', 'Avalim', 'Herkolim', 'Grolim', 'Backlim', 'Horlim' and 'Gynlim'.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
