From heat and frost to floods and drought, crops can be impacted. Growing asparagus in this part of the province is no easy task, as the crop can not only face climate-related challenges but also can be expected to live for years. “The thing about asparagus is that we call it a perennial plant because it lives from year to year, so when a farmer plants an asparagus plantation he or she wants that plantation to grow for maybe up to two decades, said Dr. David Wolyn, a professor at the University of Guelph. Creating a crop that can do just that takes years of research.
Green, purple, or white all are delicious and fresh from the ground and cannot be beaten. It’s nearly a year since I created my new bed of four different varieties and I am very much looking forward to sneaking a few spears into the pot although I know I shouldn’t because the two-year-old crowns will not yet have built up to their peak performance. It is recommended not to harvest for at least a couple of years after planting, to allow them to generate full vigour, which should allow the bed to crop for 20 years or so. An asparagus bed, preferably raised if your soil is heavy and not well-drained, will produce over and over again making for an annual taste delight to be savoured.