Table of Contents
South African Asparagus Vegetable Farming
Plant Description
Asparagus is a perennial plant or herb in the Asparagaceae family. The plant grows underground from a rhizome, generally referred to as the crown. Numerous shoots arise from the crown and are collected and consumed.
The shoots or asparagus spears are taken while still delicate and crisp, between 15 and 20 cm above the ground. Allowing spears to grow beyond this point hardens them and produces sturdy stems and branches with fern-like foliage.
The asparagus plant can reach a height of over two meters. Small red berries form on the branches and develop into the seeds needed for propagation. When the plant goes dormant in late autumn or early winter, the branches can be pruned and the seeds gathered.
Uses
Asparagus is a vegetable that can be boiled, steamed, fried, or eaten raw in salads. It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K, as well as folate, calcium, iron, and protein. Is supposed to aid in the prevention of kidney stones. Additionally, asparagus is blanched and marketed in cans.
Soil Preparation and Requirements
The best soils for asparagus are sandy and sandy loam. It grows well on soils with a pH of six to seven.
A month prior to planting, tear the soil to a depth of at least 600 mm to loosen it. If the soils are excessively acidic, it is recommended that lime should be used to raise the pH over six.
Along with the lime, you may now incorporate your preplant organic fertilizer into the soil. When you are ready to plant, use your preplant chemical fertilizer and use a disc plough to incorporate it into the top 20 cm of soil. Additionally, this cleans and levels your planting area and eliminates any weeds that have established a foothold.
Climate
Asparagus may be planted in a broad variety of climates. It performs best when temperatures range between 15°C and 26°C during the production or harvesting phase.Temperatures below-12°C result in poorer growth and reduced yields.
Cultivars
Mary Washington, California 500, Connover’s Colossal, are popular cultivars with special characteristics.