Asparagus is a seasonal vegetable. For many, however, there is uncertainty as to how long the tasty spears can be harvested. Plantura explains.
Similar to rhubarb, an old farmer's rule says that asparagus can only be eaten until St. John's Day on the 24th. June may sting. While the oxalic acid content of rhubarb is said to be too high from this point on, many gardeners are overwhelmed when it comes to asparagus. A reason to take a closer look at the topic.
First of all: The oxalic acid in rhubarb increases, but for healthy people and with normal consumption amounts it is in a harmless range. So what is the reason why the red spears are no longer harvested? And here the two types of vegetables have one thing in common: asparagus, like rhubarb, needs sufficient time to regenerate so that the plant can be harvested for many years to come. If too many asparagus stalks are pricked and the plant does not have time to gather strength, the next year's harvest can be as good as missing.
If you understand this rule, it is also clear that the 24th June is just a pawn rule. In warm and sunny regions, the asparagus should be left alone before this date. If you live in a climatically unfavorable area, which causes a later budding, you can also harvest a little longer.
We can recommend the following products for asparagus harvesting:
- Romulus asparagus cutter: Asparagus cutter with wooden handle and sharp knife.
- Dovetail asparagus knife: Asparagus knife with beech wood handle and V-cut blade.
- Triuso asparagus cutter: Dutch-style asparagus cutter with a wooden handle.
Conclusion on the asparagus harvest
The pawn rule definitely has its place. Farmers have always wanted to manage their stock as efficiently as possible. If you overdo it with the harvest, the plants will be damaged, which will take revenge in the following years. Even if the 24th June is only a rule of thumb, you should give the precious vegetables in your own garden enough time to regenerate. If you take this to heart, you will enjoy your plants for many years.