Asparagus: what is it, photos of asparagus, types and varieties

For the average person, asparagus is a rather delicacy new product that has only recently hit vegetable markets. And, although many have seen the original green, fluffy twigs, which are also used as decorations for bouquets, perhaps only a few know that this is the very asparagus that can be eaten: however, in the form of shoot candles, not stems with foliage. It’s time to figure out what kind of vegetable it is, what edible types of asparagus exist: the names, descriptions and photos are given below in the article.

What is asparagus

Real asparagus looks like a perennial shrub plant or in the form of shoots growing directly from the ground – it depends on the variety. Stems of shrub varieties reach 120 – 160 cm in height, with soft green leaves resembling needles. This is an early vegetable crop, ripening already by the beginning of April, in which only the upper part of the stem is of particular value: true gourmets consider it a real delicacy.

Edible shoots are formed no earlier than the third year of the life of the culture. In stem plants, they are cut as soon as they reach 16 – 20 cm in height (ideally – 22 cm), at this age the shoots are the most juicy and soft, and their heads are still dense and unblown. Usually, the harvest period starts from April 18 and lasts until July 20 – 24, after which the vegetable loses its tenderness and becomes tough. On average, this time is 7 – 8 weeks. The cut stems are wrapped in a damp cloth to keep them fresh for as long as possible.

Asparagus is eaten both raw, added to salads, and with the help of heat treatment. On an industrial scale, the vegetable is preserved, while the taste and useful qualities somewhat lose their value.

What family does asparagus belong to?

The Latin name of this plant is Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): it was previously attributed to the Lily family. However, not so long ago, the classification was revised, and now the culture belongs to the Asparagus family. Asparagus is a dioecious plant, meaning it needs male and female shoots for pollination.

Where does asparagus grow?

Asparagus is ubiquitous, and can be found both in Central and Southern Europe, and in northern Africa, western Asia, as well as in all regions of Our Country, even in Siberia.

The plant prefers shady places, feels good on sandy soils, reacts favorably to heat and moisture. However, on a par with that, asparagus has adapted well to harsh climatic conditions and tolerates long and frosty winters well, adapting well to heavy snowfalls.

What does the asparagus plant look like?

What asparagus looks like in nature, you can see in the photo below. It is clearly seen that asparagus does not need special care, in addition, it feels good in the neighborhood with other plant species.

However, in order to achieve a high yield, it is necessary to create favorable conditions, regularly weed and fertilize. In the photo you can appreciate what an adult asparagus plant looks like, grown in the garden, and not in the wild.

Firstly, garden-type sprouts are more powerful, and secondly, there are much more of them on one tuber – approximately 10 – 12.

Asparagus is very rich in vitamins and useful trace elements, therefore only those shoots that were cut no more than 3-4 days ago are valued in cooking. If more time has passed, a significant part of the trace elements disappears, and asparagus loses its nutritional value. Fresh asparagus sprouts should look shiny, springy and crisp, with tight heads and dry cuts. If they are sluggish and dull, this is a sign that the vegetable is no longer the first freshness.

Asparagus species

And, although there are more than two hundred varieties of asparagus, only three of its main varieties can be eaten:

• Green: the most common, and therefore cheaper than the other two. However, it is in green asparagus that the greatest content of vitamins is present, and it is the most useful;
• White: compared to green, it has a more delicate and delicate taste. It is considered an exotic product, along with truffles and artichokes. Shoots that are slightly thicker than green asparagus, and their white color is achieved by growing plants in mulch without access to light, which blocks the production of chlorophyll, and this is what gives the fruits a refined taste;
• Purple: the rarest species, characterized by a noticeable bitter taste. The plant acquires its unusual color due to a special cultivation technology, during which the time of its stay in the dark and in the light alternates.

According to the classification, several varieties of inedible asparagus are distinguished:

• Soy, which is made from soybeans, subsequently used to produce soy milk;
• Bean: this species has nothing in common with asparagus and belongs to a different culture;
• racemose: it looks like asparagus only externally, but in fact, it is a grass;
• Marine: grows in the coastal zone and is characterized by brackish flesh. It is not used in domestic cooking, but it can be found in Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine;
• Decorative: it can be thin-leaved, multi-leaved and pharmacy. The culture is used to decorate gardens and rockeries.

The best varieties of asparagus

When choosing varieties of asparagus for growing for personal purposes, you should definitely take into account the timing of the harvest, as well as the adaptation of each to certain climatic conditions.

Varieties of asparagus for Siberia

• Arzhentelskaya. Large fibrous shoots with dark pink tips have yellowish flesh. This variety is most popular in Siberia, it is frost-resistant and early ripening, which is good for a short summer;

  

• Tsarist. This variety is also very well adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia and is able to withstand frosts down to -30 ° C in winter. In addition, Royal asparagus is drought-resistant and has high immunity. Its stems contain white, fleshy, very tender pulp, characterized by high palatability;

  

• Mary Washington. Early ripe variety with green, very juicy and crunchy shoots, formed on the 3rd – 4th year after sowing. The plant easily withstands frosts down to -30 ° C in winter, is drought-resistant in summer and is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests;

  

• Ligurian. This early ripe variety of asparagus belongs to the purple species and also feels good in the Siberian region. The shoots have a delicate, very delicate taste and, unlike other varieties of this species, are not bitter at all. The pulp is soft, slightly oily, sweet has a creamy texture;

  

• Connovers Colossal. The variety has long bright green candles with dark purple tips. Differs in high productivity, unpretentiousness in leaving and delicious taste. It grows well on sandy soil and, apart from top dressing, does not require special attention;

  

• Delicacy. Mid-season, cold-resistant variety with green, scaly shoots with tender flesh with a delicate taste. The crop is harvested starting from May, for 1,5 months, by cutting the shoots that have reached a diameter of 1,0 – 1,2 cm. After that, the bush is immediately spudded.

  

Varieties of asparagus for the middle band

Below are photos and descriptions of the most popular types and varieties of asparagus for growing in the middle lane:

• Pleasure. Pleasure asparagus sprouts are creamy white in color and have tender, incredibly tasty flesh. The variety has good resistance to diseases and pests, easily tolerates drought, as well as sudden changes in temperature;

  

• Glory of Braunschweig. This late-ripening variety is characterized by a huge number of shoots with white pulp, the main purpose of which is conservation. The culture is resistant to low temperatures, has good transportability and taste. During the growing season, up to 250 g of the product can be removed from one plant;

  

• Gainlim. Early ripe high-yielding foreign variety, with good taste characteristics and quality fruits;

  

• Snow head. The long shoots have a pointed, creamy green head. Their flesh is very tender, with a creamy texture, it has a delicate aroma, as well as a taste of green peas. The variety belongs to early ripening. It is resistant to diseases and is not afraid of the asparagus fly;

  

• Yielding. Delicate white shoots with juicy pulp are crowned with the same white head. The variety is mid-season, well adapted to various climatic conditions, easily tolerates temperature changes;

  

• Dutch green. A high-yielding variety with shoots painted in juicy green color, having a very delicate taste, without bitterness;

  

• Early Yellow. Delicate yellowish-green shoots with creamy flesh have an excellent taste. The variety is early ripe, the fruits are intended both for eating raw, and for canning, or heat treatment;

  

• Xenolim. Pale green petioles of this early-ripening variety reach a diameter of up to 25 mm. From one square meter of plantings, you can collect up to 3 – 3.5 kg of selected shoots, valued for their excellent taste and exquisite aroma.

  

What varieties of asparagus are best planted in the garden

Vegetable varieties of asparagus suitable for planting in open ground in the garden must have high immunity to common diseases, as well as withstand various weather conditions. The most common varieties for cultivation in all regions are:

• Arzhentelskaya;
• Mary Washington;
• Royal;
• Cumulus F1;
• Waldau;
• Mikhnevskaya ranaya;
• Dutch green.

In addition, experienced gardeners can turn their attention to the very productive variety Brock Imperial, which, with proper care, has very high yields.

If you choose the right variety of asparagus for planting, this plant can grow in one place up to 15 – 25 years without a transplant, annually delighting with a good harvest.

It is also important to spray the stems of the plant as a preventive measure, since some species are susceptible to the most dangerous enemies of asparagus: such as the asparagus fly and the asparagus leaf beetle. These parasites can cause irreparable harm to the bush, eating not only young, but also old plantings. As a result of their vital activity, the shoots are bent and turn yellow, which damages the taste and dietary qualities of the final product.

Conclusion

Asparagus is an unpretentious and very healthy plant, due to the high nutritional value of its shoots. Therefore, when choosing a vegetable in stores, it is important to pay attention to its freshness. If you independently grow this perennial crop on your site, you can provide yourself with a fresh delicacy. And although most often the plant is planted for decorative purposes, recently gardeners are increasingly interested in growing asparagus on their land plots as a vegetable crop.