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| Asparagus used to be marketed only if the spirit diameter was pencil -sized or larger. Now smaller diameter asparagus is popular. |
Q. Do you have a recommended type or brand of
asparagus that does well here in Southern Nevada? I read your blog and you noted the purple
varieties are “sweeter”, but do they grow as well as other types?
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| Asparagus is allowed to grow to its full height after harvest season is over |
A. Yes, I do have recommendations on varieties
of asparagus for the Las Vegas Valley climate. I grew 17 different varieties of
asparagus for many years at the University research and demonstration orchard
in North Las Vegas. The varieties included a few older European types, some old
heritage types, varieties released from Rutgers University, University of
California releases and a couple of commercial purple varieties.
of asparagus for the Las Vegas Valley climate. I grew 17 different varieties of
asparagus for many years at the University research and demonstration orchard
in North Las Vegas. The varieties included a few older European types, some old
heritage types, varieties released from Rutgers University, University of
California releases and a couple of commercial purple varieties.
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| Purple asparagus called Purple Passion |
All
varieties grew well but some produced higher yields, some produced longer, good
quality spears for a longer time when it started getting hot. Chefs who
evaluated these varieties said different varieties had slightly different
flavor profiles and could be paired with different foods.
varieties grew well but some produced higher yields, some produced longer, good
quality spears for a longer time when it started getting hot. Chefs who
evaluated these varieties said different varieties had slightly different
flavor profiles and could be paired with different foods.
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| Asparagus in emerging from seed the 2nd year after planting |
Generally
speaking, University of California releases such as UC 157 give higher yields
and produce quality spears for a longer period of time when it got hot than
varieties such as Jersey Supreme and Jersey Knight, heirloom types such as Mary
Washington and European varieties.
speaking, University of California releases such as UC 157 give higher yields
and produce quality spears for a longer period of time when it got hot than
varieties such as Jersey Supreme and Jersey Knight, heirloom types such as Mary
Washington and European varieties.
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| Female asparagus plants can be rolled out or eliminated because they drop seeds in the growing beds. |
Asparagus
harvest can begin as early as mid-January in Las Vegas Valley and harvesting
stops about 8 to 10+ weeks later when new spears are smaller than pencil
diameter. The remainder of the year asparagus is not harvested but grown to its
full height, between 5 and 6 feet, to rebuild itself for next year’s spring
production. This is when fertilizer is applied, plants are inspected for
insects and diseases and low yielding, female plants are removed.
harvest can begin as early as mid-January in Las Vegas Valley and harvesting
stops about 8 to 10+ weeks later when new spears are smaller than pencil
diameter. The remainder of the year asparagus is not harvested but grown to its
full height, between 5 and 6 feet, to rebuild itself for next year’s spring
production. This is when fertilizer is applied, plants are inspected for
insects and diseases and low yielding, female plants are removed.
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| Asparagus bundled in the cooler post harvest |
Purple
varieties, such as Purple Passion, are unique and grow well in the desert but
don’t yield as well as green improved varieties like UC 157. Purple spears are
sweeter. The purple color disappears when they are cooked. In my experience,
purple varieties are not as productive for the same number of years as green
varieties.
varieties, such as Purple Passion, are unique and grow well in the desert but
don’t yield as well as green improved varieties like UC 157. Purple spears are
sweeter. The purple color disappears when they are cooked. In my experience,
purple varieties are not as productive for the same number of years as green
varieties.
Any
of the green varieties can be used to produce “white asparagus”.
of the green varieties can be used to produce “white asparagus”.
Asparagus
plants are either male or female. Male asparagus plants produce more spears
than female asparagus plants. Asparagus can be started from seed, not just from
crowns, but the female plants should be “rogued out”or eliminated during the
first couple of years if your focus is on higher yields.
plants are either male or female. Male asparagus plants produce more spears
than female asparagus plants. Asparagus can be started from seed, not just from
crowns, but the female plants should be “rogued out”or eliminated during the
first couple of years if your focus is on higher yields.
I have written an
asparagus production guide for Southern Nevada and will post it on my blog in
the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for the information. I am trying to figure out when asparagus would go dormant in the desert. I have been doing some research, but I can not find information about how to handle the dormancy period in the desert. Any ideas?
Sometimes our asparagus doesnt go dormant either. I just wait until the coldest part oaf the winter and cut it down like it was brown. I have a farm in the tropics and we let the asparagus go dry for a month and then start up the irrigation again. It seems like stress is stress to a plant and it doesn't make any difference if it is cold stress or water stress. I would just cut it back when its the coldest, turn off the water until the soil is dry, manure or compost it and then start watering again.