Asparagus Is Actually An Herb And A Vegetable

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Asparagus is actually considered an herb. To many of us this specie is a vegetable. It is really both. This plant comes from the Lily family and is native to the seacoasts of England. It is also native to Poland and the former USSR. The mass of plants can be seen in these countries in open fields. For the everyday gardener this plant can be a challenge to grow. The maturity can take two to three years before ready to harvest if grown from seeds. If this plant is grown from the crown, it can take one to two years to mature. I wanted to share this plant with you in the spices and herb section of the Web site. There are a lot of different spices and herbs that will add great flavor to asparagus.

This plant does well in zones two through nine in the United States. It loves well drained and will adapt to most soil conditions. This vegetable loves full sun but can survive if planted in a little amount of shade. This herb member does extremely well if planted in a geographic location that has a long growing season. Asparagus also will produce a larger crop if planted in a region that has freezing temperatures. The plants will go through the dormant season and this produces a higher yield.

There are usually two methods for planting the herb. One is from seed which is the hardest method. You can put the seeds in cell trays or small pots. Like most other herbs germination is best in a warm environment. Temperatures of sixty to eighty degrees will work fine and the ideal temperature for this plant is 68 degrees F or 20 degrees C up to 86 degrees F or 30 degrees C. The germination process takes around 21 days. You should let the plugs mature anywhere from ten to fourteen weeks before transplanting into the garden.

You can also plant the root crowns as they will produce a faster harvest rate. Mild climates can plant in the spring and cooler climates in the fall. The crowns should be planted in trenches and should be spaced ten to fourteen inches apart. The trenches should be covered up after the plant starts to mature and kept moist, especially through the dormant stage. Asparagus spears will reach six to eight inches tall and this is the time to start harvesting. You can harvest every three to four days or so. This plant can stay fresh in a refrigerator up to three weeks. Commercial growers will use a cooling method to preserve the freshness of this herb.

This is a wonderful vegetable for nutritional value. In the learning center, there is a page on favorite healthy recipes for kids using asparagus. This is a fun family or classroom project that can entice children to eat more herbs and vegetables. This plant is popular in different regions for a great side dish at a holiday meal. It is personally one of my favorite herbs to eat. A nice sauté of other herbs such as basil, fresh garlic, oregano, chives, and onions will create a colorful and delicious addition on top of this vegetable. You can also mix in some diced tomatoes for extra flavor and color.

There is also some medicinal value to this plant. It is known to help with acne and also possible reduction of hypertension and kidney problems. Always talk to a professional before you ingest any plant for medical benefits.

If you have a little patience and your growing season is right, go ahead and plant Asparagus in a garden along with a combination of vegetables and other herbs, these combos create a delightful addition to any meal. It is also a great companion next to Basil. If you don't want to grow this herb or your climate isn't right, the commercial growers do an excellent job in providing all of us with tasty stalks of Asparagus for our enjoyment. Do you have a recipe you would like to share using this plant or any other vegetable or herbs and spices? We would love to hear about and and even see a picture or two. Go ahead and share it with other visitors that visit this Web site. I am sure they would love to try your recipe.