Sandy loam or clay
loam soil is best suited in planting asparagus. Select a field with soil rich
in organic matter. It has beneficial effect to the plants when the soil is
fertile. Considering that asparagus can occupy the field much longer as long as
the field is not soil deficient. Initial steps should be taken to put the soil
in uniform shape and better soil type. A good soil cultivation facilitate
proper distribution of water to the field and its absorption that makes the
soil soft, pliable, preferable and in good tilt.
Avoid using top soil
that is lack of deepness with elevated water table that affects the development
of roots of the plants with better firm stand.
Cultivate the land
thoroughly. A thorough plowing and harrowing in 3 repetitions during the
cultivation period will give even distribution of soil in the field. Soil
elevation in some portion of the land is corrected. A plain surface has greater
advantage in irrigating the land. Equal distribution of water can be attained.
Make the planting
area free from unnecessary debris and emerging weeds. See to it that the soil
is always in good tilt, smooth and finely cultivated. Remove all the weeds that
are nuisance to the plants. The soil should have a pH level between 6 .0 to
7.0. If the soil analysis showed deficiency with pH level less than 6.0 will
mean that it is acidic and need to be fertilized thoroughly to restore its
fertility. Any deficiency can affect the growth of the plants thereby reducing
the opportunity to have higher yield.
Lime is necessary to
restore the pH level in normal condition. It should be done openly until the
deficiency is corrected. Even if asparagus highly tolerate salt, it is best if
the percentage of salt concentration in the soil is much lesser.
Construct drainage
canal in between the rows to have the field ready outlet in case of
water-logging.
It is best suited in
temperate climate. Consistent wet weather condition is not appropriate during
planting. It enhances the development of soil-borne disease and favorite haven
for harmful insects.
Establish nursery for
the seedling for transplanting to the field. Another option is direct seeding
but healthy plants can’t be determine and most seeds might not germinate
properly those reducing the plant populations in the land.
Using seedling is
most appropriate to prepare healthy and robust plants. Fertilize the seedlings
in the nursery to keep them in good shape and reduce mortality rate.
Another method of
planting is by using one-year old crowns directly planted to the field only if
enough crowns can be procured to support the entire field.
Best planting period
is 4th quarter of the year to first quarter of succeeding year.
Weather condition is not too wet and too dry for the seedlings to survive
during transporting. If 1 year old crown are used, it should be placed in a
furrow with fine soil around it.
A raised bed for the
plants is recommended to avoid too much concentration of water in the field.
Water will confine in the lower portion of the raised beds. The raised beds
should have width measurements of 40 to 72 inches as recommended.
The in- row spacing in
raised beds should be 6 to 12 inches.
Asparagus are broadly adaptable to changes in weather condition.
Accommodate population of 50,100 young plants or more in 1 hectare area.
Don’t over-water the
plants to prevent soil-borne disease to take over the field. Extra care in
irrigating the land should be correctly observed. Procure drains and water
pump. Make it ready during the time of rainy days or to be used to remove
accumulated concentration of water in the field during irrigation.
During hot and dry
weather, water the plants to replace the moisture lost in evaporation. This is
also to remove the accumulation of salts in the soil that can affect the
growing plants. Frequent irrigation is necessary to maximize the development of
fern during hot weather condition especially when the fern is in maximum size.
Stop irrigation
during wet season. Moisture level in the soil is enough for its growth. After
the first harvest, water the field as the fern growth will increase to be more
productive. Avoid cutting back the water distribution abruptly. It causes the
reduction of the spear yield and the size of the plants during the next
harvest. Soil moisture should be maintained before harvest. After enough
harvest is done, water requirements to the field will slowly reduce.
Weeding is necessary
to protect the plants during period of growth. Weed prevention is costly if not
taken seriously. The plants will be in constant threat. Remove the weeds by
cultivating the raised beds. This is to allow the furrows and rows of plants
weeds-free. In choosing a field for planting, it is most recommended to look an
area that is easy to handle to remove weed concentration. Constant cultivation
of the field will ensure that the pre-emergence of weeds are controlled.
Before the schedule
planting, irrigate the entire field to allow the weeds to germinate. After its
germination, start the final cultivation. Apply post-emergence herbicide to the
soil then starts the transplanting. Another weeds control can be done before the
start of first harvest. Apply pre-emergence herbicide during the cutting
period. The effect of the herbicide is effective by watering the entire field.
Sort out a way to
protect the growing spears against the wind. If affects its spear growth as it
bends nearer to the ground. Wind barriers made of polyethylene plastic sheets
will do. Tie to wood and bamboo poles. Wind can dry-out the cells on the side
of the spear thereby losing its marketable appearance.
The use of herbicides
and fungicides should be done based on manufacturer’s direction and rate of
proper application to be effective. Use insecticides to eradicate army worms,
aphids, cutworms and others. Use fungicides to prevent the common disease to
harm the plants like fusarium wilt and root rot. Late prevention will cause the
reduction of the size of the spear and low-yielding ability.
The effect of the
disease to the plants is minimized by selecting good and tolerant variety of asparagus.
The seeds planted in the nursery are pure, clean and healthy. That one year
crowns were raised in a field free from soil-borne diseases. That good
irrigation practice is applied.
An infected soil has
damaging effect to young growing plants. It causes stunted growth and easily
withered. The plants are unhealthy without any chance to have better yield.
Avoid excessive harvesting of matured asparagus in order to prevent weakening
the stand of the crown easy for the disease to control.
Most of the diseases
in the field are the result of excessive irrigation, repeated heavy rainfall
and poor drainage system. Accumulated water in the furrow below the raised beds
will harbor many kinds of diseases. Proper and effective control of the
soil-borne diseases can be done by good sanitation.
Remove all infected plants
from the field and destroy or burn them. There should be wide row spacing easy
for mobility and cultivation. There should be a good irrigation system that can
remove excess water in the field. One good remedy is to construct small
internal drainage canals in between the rows of plant as an outlet for
water-logging.
Once the planting
field of asparagus is established, a yearly application of phosphorus and
potassium is recommended. Based on soil analysis, effective application of
right fertilizer can be done better. Application of fertilizer will depend on
soil condition and the physical growth of the plants. If the plants are
unhealthy, application of fertilizer is mostly needed.
Broadcast foliar
fertilizer to the plants based on the established rate of application. Application
of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) NPK has wider benefits to have robust and
healthy plants. Whatever deficiency the soil has should be restored by the
application of proper fertilization activity during the early growing period of
asparagus. Any visible sign of soil deficiency should be attended to.
The yield
and size of the spear will show how fertile is the soil. Consult an expert
agriculturist in your area that can give additional knowledge to restore soil
deficiency accordingly and effectively.
Chop matured ferns in
the field and placed in the bed in bunches for transport to designated shade or
storage area. Cut the spears in an angle near the surface of the soil. Do the
cutting early in the morning to avoid stress of the cut spears especially in
hot weather. Cut the spears 10 inches long. This will subject to another cut of
9 inches when packed.
Use cutting knife
intended for asparagus harvesting. Cutting is done manually. Harvest the spears
early in the season every 3 days. Cutting during warm weather will do (not hot)
and done daily after the initial cutting. Any deformed spears in unmarketable
size should be removed to allow regrowth for marketable grade.
Don’t harvest the
spears in the bed for too long. It should be done fast to avoid feathering. It
will reduce carbohydrates contents in the crown.
Sort out all the
hauled spears in the shade. Conduct grading, trimming, cooling and then packing
ready for transport to market. Cool the harvested spears immediately after the
initial and succeeding harvest to avoid toughening. Any delay will result to
soft rot on the tip of the spear and started to decay.
Avoid placing the
spears in high temperature area in order to preserve its natural sugar,
freshness, flavor and stored vitamins. Extra care should be observed during
harvesting to avoid error in cutting or unintentional trampling of plants.