Archive for the 'Gardening' Category

Jersey Supreme and Purple Passion Asparagus

Wednesday, April 18th, 2007

Now that I have completed extending Bed #3, I have space for my remaining asparagus crowns.

My planting today consisted of two rows of 5 of Jersey Supreme Hybrid Asparagus - Giant Grade, and behind them one row of 5 of my remaining Purple Passion Asparagus crowns.

Once I had them planted I gave the entire asparagus bed a dosage of Gurney’s Asparagus Food(17-16-28). This involved measuring a couple of ounces of green powder out into my watering can, filling it up, and then sprinkling it generously over the bed.
I have to say it feels much more effective using the liquid soluble fertilizer, hopefully it really does help!

Mary Washington and Purple Passion Asparagus

Sunday, April 15th, 2007

I have spent a lot of time the last few days working on a new raised bed (Bed #3) for my Asparagus. 

 I originally planned to plant these along the fence line, but given the long life span of Asparagus (10 years or even more) I decided against it.  With any luck the Asparagus will last a lot longer than my fence will! The new bed does not hug the fence, so now my Asparagus should survive the next fence replacement.  Who says I don’t plan long term?:)

I didn’t plan out everything to perfection however…my new Bed did not have enough room for all my Asparagus crowns, I found space for 15 of them (I have 30 ready to go in the ground).
Nearest the house I planted two rows of 5 of Mary Washington Improved Asparagus - Giant Grade, behind these I squeezed in one more row of 5, this time of Purple Passion Asparagus - 2 year.

At the same time I fertilized the new bed with ‘‘Vigoro Timed-Release All Purpose Plant Food 19-6-12′, hopefully this will get the Asparagus off to a good start. I do have some special ‘Asparagus Food’ fertilizer on it’s way, details in an upcoming post.
While I wait for it to arrive, I will work on extending Bed #3 to hold the rest of my Asparagus!

Peas and Carrots planted

Friday, April 13th, 2007

Today I planted half of bed #2.

I sowed 2 rows of Sweet Peas, 5 in each row, into the back left quarter of the bed. The plan eventually is to provide them some kind of trellis work for support, but I have a little while before I need to worry about that.

In front of the peas I scattered some carrot seeds, I was generous with the seeds, and suspect I will need to thin some seedlings before long.

The right hand half of Bed #2 remains empty for now.