Asparagus Season!
We really enjoy asparagus, when we moved here, there was supposed to be an asparagus patch. It was overgrown with quack grass, and thus the asparagus was not happy. After a good weeding and mulching, we thought it would bounce back, it didn’t.
Two year ago, I started two heirloom varieties of asparagus from seed. Last year, I added 50 crowns of asparagus (25 of Jersey Supreme, 25 of Purple Passion).
They grew well all last year, this year we will be able to harvest a few spears. Newer studies show that asparagus actually produces longer if they are harvested in their second year.
Next year, I’ll replant the crowns started from seed in rows, I’m not sure where I will put them at the moment, perhaps in second rows alongside the current rows of asparagus. When I went to Monticello 8 years ago, I was blown away by the HUGE bed of asparagus.
A huge plot of asparagus foliage is a really show stopper in the garden. Since my asparagus will be behind a perennial border, I think it may be the perfect backdrop for a mix of roses, clematis, catmint, and other lovelies. You certainly can’t beat the perennial nature of asparagus, a vegetable you plant only once every 25 years or so is a big win in my book!
What’s one of your favorite seasonal vegetables?
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Soaking it Up
This time of year really is the sweetest. It’s warming up, the soil is ready to be worked, there aren’t many insects, and there aren’t many weeds either. Yesterday, it was 85 degrees here and perfect. I spent the day madly planting seedlings the main vegetables garden: onions, spinach, lettuce, beets, etc. I worked until I could barely see.
I planted four trays of alliums: Patterson, Redwing, Red long of Tropea, and Conserver Shallots (all seeds from https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/onions/specialty-cooking-onions/red-long-of-tropea-onion-seed-2333.html). I’m really looking forward to fresh onions, the ones in the root cellar are starting to sprout and the stocks are getting really low. Luckily, chives are coming on and those give a great onion flavor. I’m starting to get excited about this summer and what the garden will bring.
What are you transplanting?
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Forcing Rhubarb
If you remember, I mentioned last week that I put a big black pot over my rhubarb to try to force it. I’ve never done this before, but have heard about it and read about it a few times. Yesterday evening, I lifted the pot and was amazed by what was beneath it.
This is the rhubarb that hasn’t been covered, it’s barely popping up out of the ground. In the next photo, you can see the forced rhubarb on the left and the unforced rhubarb on the right, or maybe you can’t see that rhubarb. This variety is ‘Glaskins Perpetual’ rhubarb, it can be harvested all summer long.
I’m quite amazed by the process and will definitely add it to my list of spring garden chores. Next spring, I may try covering the rhubarb in mid March. I’m really looking forward to early rhubarb this year, now I just have to look through my cookbooks and decide what to make with it.
What fun garden experiments are you doing this spring?
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Transplanting
Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Maine, it was sunny and warm (in the low 60’s). I finally was able to transplant seedling into the garden. It seems spring may finally have arrived here in the NE, we are all very happy about that.
I transplanted a flat of spinach, some fennel, radicchio, endive, and a few other greens. Fingers crossed they’ll survive any cold night we have and we’ll be eating these lovelies in a few weeks.
Are you harvesting anything from your garden yet? How’s spring coming along for you?
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Grow Light Garden
Now that it’s almost time to start planting things directly in the ground outside, I have my indoor winter grow light garden going in full swing.
I’ve been harvesting greens for salads each evening, along with lots of cilantro and arugula for breakfast.
I water every Sunday with a diluted liquid kelp fertilizer, it seems to be keeping the greens growing nicely and producing lots of fresh leaves each week.
Grow light space will become quite limited soon, this past weekend I started four flats of onions and three half flats of other things (celery, fennel, and flowers).
What’s under your grow lights this week?
