April 10-13, 2017
Meet Your Asparagus Farmer
Asparagus farmer Kelli came for a visit this week in Nutrition Expedition! She brought some cool asparagus seeds to look at, as well as pictures of asparagus growth and a time-lapse video.
Did you know that asparagus plants grow red berries in the fall? This is where the seeds are contained! Growing asparagus from seed can be a lesson in patience; it can take 2-3 years before you will be able to harvest your asparagus spears 😫! To grow them from seed, you must start them indoors in a sunny location, approximately 8-12 weeks before transplanting the seedlings outdoors (when they are 2 inches tall). Then, allow 2-3 years of growth before you start cutting your harvest. Trim the spears on an angle once they reach 6 inches in length, just at the surface. Leave the ferny plants behind, so that they can nourish next year's crop. To learn more about the (captivating 😉) process of growing asparagus, click here.
Super Sleuth Questions
1. What did the asparagus seeds look like? (answer: they were red and looked like pebbles)
2. How long does it take for asparagus to grow enough to be picked? (answer: 2 to 3 years)
