LIFE

In the Garden | Asparagus bed will last for years

Richard Poffenbaugh
Gannett Ohio columnist

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that many gardeners want to grow, but somehow never get around to make the plantings. Now is the time to do some homework and make plans for April plantings.

Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that is a perennial. With good care, a bed will last for 20 to 30 years. If neglected, it will slowly decline and stop production of spears.

Look over a few seed catalogs and see what is available. Don't waste time with seeds. Purchase one-year crowns and you will get faster results. Hybrid crowns are preferred because they are all male plants. Non-hybrids include female plants that product berry-like fruits with seeds. The female plants create much more work and waste space and time. One year, a few of my male plants included a few female plants. It was a hopeless effort in trying to eliminate them.

Most asparagus plants are developed by Rutgers University in New Jersey. Two recommended varieties are Purple Passion and Jersey Supreme. Purple Passion has a purple color. The spears become green-colored when cooked.

Plant crowns in mid to late April in deep 8- to 10-inch furrow in full sun. In bottom of furrow, work in generous quantity of aged manure or compost. Cover crowns with soil as spears emerge through soil.

Jung Seeds catalog lists Jersey Supreme crowns at 10 crowns for $11.95 or 20 for $19.95 plus shipping. Item number is 04505. Call at 800-297-3123 or visit www.jungseed.com.

Question/Answer

Question: Is compost beneficial as a top dressing on a lawn?

A: Yes, shredded compost like leaf compost can improve the native soil of a lawn. If compost is in large chunks, let it dry and run over with a rotary mower so it is easier to distribute over the lawn. An annual application works well.

If possible, after compost application do a core aeration in the fall. This permits the compost to make its way into the holes in the soil. A cubic yard of compost is the quantity to apply per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

How do insects survive freezing or below freezing temperatures in the winter?

A: Many tolerate freezing temperatures by reduction of water in their tissues. Or they convert some of their sugars into a type of antifreeze product. Both methods provide enough tissue changes for winter survival.

When and how should soil temperature in a vegetable garden be taken?

A: Take soil reading at a 2o-inch depth close to 9 a.m. Compare soil reading to recommended soil temperature for vegetable seed you wish to plant. Recommended readings are listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog. For a free catalog call 1-877-564-6697 or visit johnnyseeds.com. A soil thermometer (#9069) for $12.50 is in the catalog.

Here are minimum readings for common vegetables. These are low readings and I would add 6 or more degrees for better germination. Minimum readings: 45 degrees, lettuce, parsnap; 50 degrees, beet, carrot, kohlrabi, pea and spinach, radish; 60 degrees, sweet corn; 68 degrees, cucumber, muskmelon, watermelon, summer and winter squash, pumpkin.

A common window thermometer can be used to insert into soil, but be careful to not break glass tube when inserting into soil. For a warm 68 degree soil, the soil should feel "warm" when your hand is placed on the soil.

Mark bulb locations

Now is time to mark open spaces amid daffodils plantings. More bulbs can be planted in these spaces in the fall. Mark those spaces with a brick or two. Bricks won't disappear and you know exactly where to plant more bulbs.

Divide garden mums

Look for appearance of new mum growth from last year. Once there is new growth the clump can be dug and divided for new plants this year. Split the outer portion of clump for new plants. Increase plantings without cost!

Richard Poffenbaugh is a retired biology teacher and active home gardener since 1960. He is a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club and was editor of the club newsletter (The Greenhorn) for 21 years. He resides in Ontario with his wife, Barbara. Reach him at 419-529-2966.