Asparagus is a striking representative of the Asparagus family, which has often been recently singled out as a separate genus of the Asparagus. This plant is successfully grown in garden conditions. Some of its types are used in cooking.
From the history of appearance
The history of asparagus cultivation dates back more than three thousand years. The Egyptians considered the asparagus divine and were firmly convinced that the plant greatly influences the continuation of the human race.
The ancient Greeks did put asparagus sprouts in bed to the newlyweds, so that they could conceive a child as soon as possible.
Decorative asparagus looks very unusual
In the time of Ancient Rome, the plant was no longer used solely as a ritual attribute and was actively consumed as food. For a long time, the vegetable was not accessible to commoners and was served only at the table of the Roman emperor. When the product came to Europe in the 15th century, it was also unavailable to mere mortals for a long time.
Important! In the modern world, although there remain people who do not know that asparagus and asparagus are basically the same plant, growing asparagus in the garden is quite common. Any aspirant has the opportunity to serve asparagus to the table.
How the asparagus hibernates
Since the culture comes from tropical regions with a humid climate, many are quite logically interested in the question of how asparagus hibernates. Despite its southern roots, garden asparagus is able to tolerate severe Russian winters. In autumn, the plant loses its green stems, so that in the spring it will again be reborn from sufficiently powerful and healthy rhizomes.
What does the plant look like
The shrub is completely covered with needle-shaped branches that give it a decorative look. Its flowers are nothing special - they are medium-sized and rather plain-looking. Asparagus asparagus can grow up to one and a half meters. The culture is characterized by a developed root system with horizontal rhizomes. The fruit looks like a berry with several large seeds inside.
Common varieties
There are over 300 species of wild asparagus. Not all of them are suitable for planting in home or garden conditions. For planting in the apartment, the following plant varieties are optimally suitable.
Asparagus Meyer
This is a fairly compact shrub, found in wildlife throughout Asia. Plant height is not more than half a meter. Such an asparagus grows very well in width when grown, since it is characterized by branching.
Asparagus Meyer is very fluffy
Cirrus asparagus
Another evergreen perennial that will feel comfortable on the windowsill in the apartment has beautiful curly twigs. Its leaves in appearance most closely resemble miniature scales. The stems are bent, grow in bunches. The leaves of the variety are feathery white, very small.
Crescent Asparagus
Crescent asparagus is a vine, the height of which, with proper care, can reach up to 7 meters in length. The plant has lignified branches with small thorns, through which it clings to the supports and stretches towards sunlight.
In addition, there are varieties of asparagus suitable for planting and care in the open ground. They can be safely planted in greenhouses, conservatories, vegetable gardens and in personal plots. The main garden types of culture include the following varieties.
Medicinal Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Medicinal asparagus is a dioecious herbaceous biennial plant, growing on average up to one and a half meters in height. He has straight stems, covered with numerous treasures. The leaves of the plant are elongated, have small scales. White flowers on elongated legs.
White asparagus
The cultivation of white asparagus in the country is especially active. It is an evergreen perennial shrub. This variety is not only a valuable source of medicinal raw materials, but also finds wide application in cooking.
The plant grows to a height of the order of two meters, has many needle processes and has a strong root system that forms growth buds.
Green asparagus
Another edible asparagus is green asparagus. The shrub is a branched perennial with small and underdeveloped leaves. The flowers are also small. For cooking, sprouts of culture are used.
Cooking use
Having understood that asparagus and asparagus are always one and the same plant, you should familiarize yourself with how the plant is used correctly for preparing various dishes.
Asparagus is distinguished by excellent taste, therefore, it finds the widest application in the field of culinary. It is used in food both raw and cooked. The plant can be boiled, fried, baked and canned. Green variety for cooking is used more often. The easiest way to cook from young shoots. They do not need to peel. In addition, their baking requires a minimum amount of time. If we talk about white asparagus how to cook, the vegetable requires preliminary preparation before being used in the cooking process. It must be thoroughly washed in cold water and cut off all solid bases.
Many do not buy asparagus, not knowing how to cook it. Asparagus goes well with any vegetables, fish, poultry, meat, cheese, can be used as a side dish or as a main dish.
Important! Asparagus shoots, depending on the type of processing, take a different amount of time. Cook asparagus should be 8 minutes, steam - 15 minutes, fry - 5 minutes, bake - 20 minutes. Practically any spices can be used as companions.
Outdoor planting and care
In order to grow an asparagus bush in his country house, he should provide proper care. The plant should be regularly watered, periodically wrap up, when winter begins to approach, fertilize and mulch in order to prevent freezing of the root system.
Particular attention when growing crops should be given to the soil and top dressing
The soil for asparagus should be a mixture of the following components:
- garden land (two parts);
- humus (one part);
- sand (one part).
If desired, asparagus can be grown from seeds
If planting is not in open ground, but in a pot on the windowsill, you can buy a ready-made universal substrate for indoor flowers with the addition of perlite.
It is recommended to feed the culture in summer and spring. At rest, fertilizers are not particularly required for the plant. It is recommended to use a universal remedy diluted in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer. Nitrogen supplements should not be abused. They should be used only during the period of the most active growth of greenery.
Reproduction of asparagus
The bush is propagated mainly by seeds or by rhizome division.
Seed germination
Germination of seeds involves the following steps:
- The soil mixed with fertilizer is poured into the container.
- Distribute seeds in it at a distance of 3 cm from each other.
- Lightly sprinkle the seeds with soil.
- Cover the container with polyethylene.
- Put on the windowsill
- Provide comfortable temperature conditions.
- Periodically air the improvised greenhouse.
- Every day, the soil is sprayed with water from a sprayer.
- Get the first shoots.
- When the seedlings reach 10 centimeters, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots.
Asparagus - a tasty and healthy product
Rhizome Division
Most often, asparagus is propagated by division of rhizomes. This is the easiest way. Anyone, even a beginner gardener, will be able to divide the rhizome of the bush into several parts, observing elementary caution.
Each new bush is shaken off from excess soil and placed in a separate container.
Transfer
An asparagus transplant is done just like any other plant. The only problem you may encounter is a powerful and ramified root system. Because of it, it is difficult to get a plant out of the ground. You can solve the problem by first moistening the ground well. The shrub will get easier, it can be easily moved to a new place.
