As soon as the sun has more energy again and the ground warms up, the asparagus harvest is approaching. We give tips on harvesting times and correct storage.
Young asparagus plants need to be spared
You have that asparagus only freshly planted, you have to wait some time until the first harvest. The following harvest time must be observed:
- 3. Stand year: 4 weeks
- From the 4th Stand year: 8-9 weeks - The harvest must be stopped when the plant only produces fertilizer stalks, but at the latest on Midsummer (24. June).
The asparagus plant needs the rest of the year to regenerate. Depending on the location and year, 5 to 10 stalks can be harvested per year. If the system is getting old, you will notice this in a sharply decreasing yield. The diameter of the bars in particular is becoming increasingly smaller. Usually you can change location after 7-8 years and plant new plants. Thus, 3 years later, if the old stock no longer delivers good yields, you have a direct yield at the new location.
Store asparagus properly
After you have pricked the asparagus, you should prepare the stalks as quickly as possible. Extremely fresh asparagus is the great advantage of the somewhat laborious cultivation in your own garden. Fresh white asparagus can be kept in a damp kitchen towel in the refrigerator for three to four days. Green asparagus is best placed upright in a container with a little water.
Asparagus can be pickled, but it loses some of its aroma. Even if you hear it every now and then: asparagus definitely cannot be dried like tomatoes or garlic. The only way to preserve the flavor is to freeze it. To do this, first wash and peel the bars and freeze them tightly in freezer bags. It lasts up to a year. The frozen asparagus is best put directly into the boiling water. It should not be thawed slowly first. Sour and savory cooked asparagus stalks (similar to pickled cucumbers) are also very interesting.
About the guest author:
As a graduate engineer in agricultural science Felix Grebhardt responsible for sales and marketing at Südwestdeutsche Saatzucht GmbH. The company is a family-run, medium-sized plant breeding company based in Rastatt. The asparagus cultivation has a long tradition in the company and can be traced back to 1912. In addition to his job, Mr. Grebhardt is passionate about growing various types of kiwi, persimmon and figs in his garden.
Additional information: www.suedwestsaat.de/spargel
