ASPARAGUS CULTURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 13

ASPARAGUS CULTURE

Very good asparagus, fit for every day use, can be grown in any good, well-drained soil. It must always be remembered that asparagus is a seaside plant, growing in its natural state just above high-water mark, and often covered a foot deep in sand and seaweed. It is obvious that such a plant needs a well-drained soil and plenty of salt. Seaweed is also a first-class manure. Ground that grows good vegetables can be accepted as drained enough. If there is any doubt about it dig out the trench where the row is to be planted a little deeper and put in several inches of broken bricks scoria or hard material, sloping it to the end where an outlet can be obtained. In addition, raise the soil in the row six inches or so above the ground level so that some of the surplus water will be thrown off. Dig out a trench two or three feet wide and at least 18 inches deep —the deeper the better. Then put in the bottom plenty of garden rubbish, but not hard sticks. Dig out the trench at the latter end of summer or early autumn, and leave it open, putting in the rubbish as it accumulates. Well tread it, and when you have about a foot of well-trodden rubbish in, put back the soil. If you can procure some good stable manure do so and mix it with the soil as you replace it, if possible adding some sea sand. If no manure is available mix plenty of bonedust with the soil. There are three methods of planting—one by sowing seed, the other by pruning one or two-year-old plants. Seed will need three years, one-year-old plants two years, and two-year-old plants one year before producing sticks for use. In all cases the first cuttings must be very light. Having prepared the ground, stretch a line the whole length, about six inches from the centre of the plants, then with a spade dig out a trench about nine inches deep and twelve nches wide. The plants need to be placed about two feet apart, and therefore at every two feet make a little mold of earth and on this set

the plant, stretching out the roots carefully. Plant as soon as the roots start to grow, about August or September. When all are planted, cover up. The following summer the grass should not be cut, but tied to sticks to prevent breaking off, as the strength of the plant depends upon the proper development of this grass. After-culture consists in keeping the beds clean of weeds throughout the year. An occasional watering during very dry weather is desirable, and a dressing of nitrate of soda (one ounce to the square yard) should be given in November, December and January. Apply salt at the rate of two pounds to the square yard in August. Liquid manure is of great value, and one ounce of ammonia, one of kainit, and two of superphosphate dissolved in i two gallons of water makes a good i application, and should be given about August. During winter three or four inches of farmyard manure or seaweed, if obtainable, should be spread on top of the soil. Apply this manure when the foliage turns a yellowish colour, when it should be cut down. It is most important to sparingly cut the first time and do not cut sticks until the plants are three years old.