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Originating from Europe, North Africa and West Asia, asparagus has been cultivated for over 2,000 years as a vegetable and medicinal herb. A herbaceous perennial (winter dormant), the first shoots of asparagus in spring are one of the most anticipated events in the vegetable growing calendar! This open pollinated heirloom variety was developed in the United States in the 1860s, selected for its high yield for market gardeners. The large spears are bright green with deep purple tips and are exceptionally high yielding. Despite their thickness the spears are tender and buttery, with a superb flavour. ‘Conover’s Colossal’ has also been awarded an Award of Garden Merit by The Royal Horticultural Society.
9cm pot
Prepare your asparagus beds well, in a sunny spot (or light shade only). Asparagus needs deep, rich well drained soil – plenty of compost with added sand or fine stones (it is found naturally in river and coastal environments in sandy soil). It enjoys a pH level in the neutral range of 6.5 to 7.5. Beds will crop for 20 years or more, so it’s worth putting the effort in up front! Space plants at least 30cm apart in rows 50cm apart. How many plants you need depends on your requirements as a household, but I’d recommend three per person as an absolute minimum (and personally I can eat a lot more than that!). Water plants in well, add more compost, and then mulch. We used wood chip mulch to start our beds off but have planted a living mulch of wild and alpine strawberries which seems to be working well. Feed the bed again once or twice through the season and then again at the start of each season. Dormant plants are frost hardy; new spears may be damaged by hard frosts (but more will be on their way!)
Asparagus needs to develop a good crown (underground mass of tuberous roots, providing the reserve of energy) before it can be harvested. So, despite the fact that spears will be produced in year two, you should resist the urge to harvest them, for the sake of your next 20 years’ harvests! Allow the feathery stems to develop throughout the summer and do not cut them down until they have yellowed off. Year three will be your first harvest. Harvest only spears that are thicker than a pencil, and be sure to cut them off at ground level.
Both the roots and the shoots can be used medicinally; they have a restorative and cleansing effect on the bowels, kidneys and liver. The shoots can be juiced fresh, and the roots are harvested in late spring, after the shoots have been cut as a food crop, and are dried for later use (this will obviously impact future crops however). The strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis. The roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure, and have also been used in the treatment of cancer.
Primary Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, digestive, diuretic, detoxifying, immuno-stimulant
Both the roots and the shoots can be used medicinally; they have a restorative and cleansing effect on the bowels, kidneys and liver. The shoots can be juiced fresh, and the roots are harvested in late spring, after the shoots have been cut as a food crop, and are dried for later use (this will obviously impact future crops however). The strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis. The roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure, and have also been used in the treatment of cancer.
Primary Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, digestive, diuretic, detoxifying, immuno-stimulant
Both the roots and the shoots can be used medicinally; they have a restorative and cleansing effect on the bowels, kidneys and liver. The shoots can be juiced fresh, and the roots are harvested in late spring, after the shoots have been cut as a food crop, and are dried for later use (this will obviously impact future crops however). The strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis. The roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure, and have also been used in the treatment of cancer.
Primary Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, digestive, diuretic, detoxifying, immuno-stimulant
Parts Used: shoots and roots
Energetics: moistening, warming
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
