The best asparagus varieties to grow are: Conovers Colossal, Erasmus, Grande Hybrid, Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, Mary Washington, Millenium, Purple Passion, & Spartacus.
What is the sweetest asparagus?
Despite the color difference, white asparagus taste similar to green asparagus. 3. Purple: Known to be the sweetest type, purple asparagus gets its color from high levels of anthocyanins, chemical compounds commonly found in vegetables and other plants.
What is the best type of asparagus to eat?
Thicker stalks are usually higher in fiber, according to Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops at Pennsylvania State University. But whether thick or thin, asparagus stalks of all sizes are nutritious and delicious. Asparagus is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, vitamins B6, A, and C.
Where is the best asparagus from?
Hampshire County, home to New England’s most productive farmland, has been called the “Asparagus Capital of the World” for its prolific abundance of the crop.
What is the most productive asparagus?
For highest yields, choose “all-male” varieties.
These “all-male” asparagus varieties — including ‘Jersey Giant, ‘Jersey Supreme’ and ‘Jersey Knight’ — produce up to three times more than older, open-pollinated male/female varieties, such as ‘Mary Washington. ‘
Is purple asparagus better than green?
Nutritional value: Compared to purple asparagus, green asparagus has higher levels of potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
How can you tell a male asparagus from a female?
Asparagus Sex Determination
Asparagus is dioecious, which means there are both male and female plants. Female asparagus produces seeds that look like little red berries. Male plants produce thicker, larger spears than females. The flowers on male plants are also larger and longer than those on females.
Which asparagus is best thick or thin?
“In supermarkets, shoppers will see thin spears of asparagus bunched and marketed as ‘tender gourmet’ style,” says Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops. “In reality, spears that are larger than a half-inch in diameter are more tender and higher in soluble fiber and vitamins than the thinner spears.”
What should I look for when buying asparagus?
1. Choose Pristine Buds
- Stalks should be plump and firm, and tips should be tightly closed.
- Color can be green, purple, or white, depending on the variety. Make sure the color is not faded.
- A good grocer will chill asparagus or store it standing upright in cold, fresh water.
What flavors of asparagus are there?
Flavor. Green asparagus is a bit grassy in flavor, while white asparagus is mild and slightly bitter. Purple asparagus is a bit nuttier and sweeter because it has about 20 percent more sugar in its stalks. While the stalks are purple on the outside, the interior of the asparagus is the same as a green spear.
What country eats the most asparagus?
Global Asparagus Consumption
With nearly X thousand tons, China became the world’s leading asparagus consuming country, mixed up X% of global consumption.
Where is the asparagus capital of the world?
Oceana County is famous as the “Asparagus Capital of the World” for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus Festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen.
What state produces the most asparagus?
Michigan
Asparagus production in the United States is concentrated between three states: California, Michigan, and Washington. In 2021, Washington produced about 160 thousand centrum weight of asparagus, slightly less than Michigan’s production volume of 257.6 thousand centrum weight.
How much asparagus should I plant for a family of 4?
Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don’t produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four.
Should I remove Female asparagus plants?
The female asparagus stalk will become fern-like and develop berries (but don’t eat them because they are toxic to humans). Over time these female plants should be removed.
How many asparagus should I plant?
But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It’s not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years. It does best in well-drained soils that are in full sun.
How long can I store asparagus in the refrigerator?
Asparagus tastes best when cooked the day you buy it. If that’s not in the cards, store them as you would store cut flowers: Trim the bottoms and stand the spears up in a glass or jar with about an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag then refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
Why is white asparagus so expensive?
Why is white asparagus so expensive? Because growing white asparagus underground is much more labor intensive, that’s reflected in the price. Each stalk must be unearthed and cut by hand, a painstaking job. White asparagus can be as a much as $2 more a bunch than green.
What color asparagus is best?
Color: Asparagus should be should be rich in green color, softly fading to white at the bottom of the stalk.
What can you not plant next to asparagus?
There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus:
- Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth.
- Potatoes. Asparagus, on the other hand, stunts the growth of potatoes when they share the same space.
How many years does it take to grow asparagus?
3 years
Although asparagus can be started from seed, the plants take 3 years to mature, so it is usually grown from 1-year-old crowns. However, the plant can be productive for 10 years or more, so it’s worth the wait. You can start planting and growing asparagus as soon as the soil is workable in late winter or early spring.