Asparagus

Growing

An asparagus bed is a long-term commitment, as crowns planted in the winter give harvests for many years. Focus on soil fertility and aim for a slightly alkaline soil, ideally between pH 6.5 and 7.5. These perennials need well-drained conditions, so avoid areas where water pools, but keep the soil consistently moist. For white asparagus, blanch the shoots by earthing them up with soil. Blocking sunlight stops photosynthesis and produces tender, ivory-colored spears.

When spring arrives, harvest spears while they are young and upright. Asparagus does not ripen once picked, so timing matters. Spears left to grow too large become woody and difficult to eat. Purple varieties have a high sugar content, though they may lose their color and turn green when exposed to high heat during cooking.

To preserve the harvest, blanch the spears before freezing them. If you store them in the refrigerator, keep the spears unwashed. Canning is also an option for pantry storage.