Asparagus

Where does Asparagus grow?

Found in: Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, Tuvalu, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Indies, Yugoslavia

Notes: There are between 160-300 Asparagus species.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Not widely grown in Papua New Guinea and then mostly near the houses of Europeans.

Growing Asparagus

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. It is best to soak the seeds for 24 hours then sow them in a nursery. They are transplanted after 8-12 months. A spacing or 1 m x 1 m is suitable. If white shoots are required, the shoots need to be kept covered with soil. Shoots turn green in sunlight. Plants can also be grown by division of the clump. These are planted 15 cm deep. For seed production a male plant is needed for each 4 female plants. Bees help pollination.

Edible Uses: The young shoots are eaten cooked. They should only be washed just before cooking. The tuberous roots of some wild asparagus plants are eaten in China. Young roots should be used. The seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee.

Production: The first harvest is 18-24 months after planting. The shoots are cut before they open out into the ferny erect stems. They are cut below ground level when about 15-20 cm high.

Nutrition Info

Asparagus Photos

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