Botanic name: Asparagus officinalis
Health Benefits of Asparagus
Vitamins and minerals - Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin B6, calcium, zinc and magnesium.
The vegetable also contains relatively high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, copper, potassium, selenium and manganese.
Dietary fibre - Asparagus is very rich in dietary fibre. A one hundred gram serving of asparagus contains approximately 2.1 grams of dietary fibre.
Asparagus Growing Information
Prepare the ground by digging in a general purpose fertiliser and lots of organic matter.
Plant the Asparagus crown 15cm deep but cover with just 5cm of soil.
As the fern grows fill the depressing above the crown with more soil but so not cover the new shoots.
Water and fertilise regularly as the fern grows.
Cut down the dry, yellow fern in winter.
Do not harvest spears until the third year after planting. Harvest half the spears as they are produced and leave the rest to ensure the plant remains strong and productive for the next season.