Grow Your Own Gourmet Purple Asparagus
Indulge in the exquisite taste of purple asparagus, a gourmet delight renowned for its exceptionally sweet and tender spears. This variety is a favorite among chefs and discerning gardeners across Europe and beyond. This bundle includes 50 male-dominate roots, ensuring a higher yield of thicker, more tender spears compared to female plants, making it an ideal choice for a productive home garden.
Planting and Care for Abundant Harvests
Plant your asparagus roots as early in the spring as the soil can be worked. Choose a sunny location with rich, well-drained soil to ensure optimal growth. Dig trenches 6-8 inches deep and 12-15 inches wide, providing ample space for the roots to establish. Set roots in the bottom of the trench, spacing crowns (center) 15-18 inches apart in the row. Spread the roots out as far as possible, and cover with 3-4 inches of fine soil. Fill trenches in gradually as shoots grow, and space rows 2 1/2 – 4 feet apart. Cultivate or mulch to control weeds and fertilize at least once during the growing season, watering well during dry spells. In late fall, cut tips down to ground level when they have turned brown. Remember, do not cut spears heavily until the third year to allow the plants to establish fully.
Benefits of Growing Purple Asparagus
- Superior Taste: Enjoy exceptionally sweet and tender spears, a true gourmet experience.
- High Yield: Male-dominate plants produce thicker, more abundant spears, maximizing your harvest.
- Heirloom Quality: Experience the authentic flavor and robust growth of a time-tested heirloom vegetable.
- Beautiful Appearance: The vibrant purple spears add a touch of elegance to your garden and culinary presentations.
- Perennial Crop: Benefit from years of delicious harvests from a single planting, making it a sustainable choice for your garden.
Additional Information for Optimal Growth
The purple spears should be picked when young, ideally 6-8 inches tall while buds are still tight, for the best tenderness and flavor. Interestingly, when cooked, these beautiful purple spears will turn green. This perennial vegetable’s foliage will grow 4-6 feet tall, creating an attractive backdrop in your garden. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and thrives in full sun with good drainage. If roots are received before planting time, they can be packed in moist soil or sand and stored in a cool place until you are ready to plant. Expect immediate shipping with 2-year roots, ready to establish quickly in your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How deep and wide should the trenches be for planting asparagus roots? Trenches should be 6-8 inches deep and 12-15 inches wide to provide ample space for the roots to establish properly.
- What is the ideal spacing between asparagus roots when planting? Space the roots 15-18 inches apart in the row to allow for proper growth and prevent overcrowding, ensuring healthy plant development.
- How tall will the foliage of purple asparagus grow? The foliage will grow 4-6 feet tall, providing a beautiful and lush backdrop to your garden landscape.
- What USDA hardiness zones are suitable for growing this asparagus? This asparagus is hardy in zones 3-9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates and growing conditions.
- When is the best time to harvest purple asparagus spears for optimal taste? Harvest when the spears are young, 6-8 inches tall, and the buds are still tight for optimal tenderness and flavor, ensuring a gourmet experience.
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