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Lorella Asparagus crowns - Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus officinalis Lorella
Garden asparagus, Asparagus, Sparrow grass

4,7/5
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Very good packaging, careful work. Arrived in good condition.

Michelle V., 26/04/2018

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

Value-for-money
Early and hardy variety, of excellent taste. It is recommended for the cultivation of white asparagus. Plant in the form of crowns, in the soil in March-April, after having prepared the soil in the previous autumn. Wait for the 3rd year to start harvesting and then harvest every year from April to June for 10 to 15 years. Once cooked, asparagus can be consumed cold, as an appetiser, or hot according to your preferences: velvety, gratins, sauces...
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
1 m
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April
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F
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A
M
J
J
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S
O
N
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Harvest time April to June
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F
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Description

The Lorella asparagus is planted as crowns, to be planted in the ground in March-April, after preparing the soil the previous autumn. It is an early and hardy variety, with excellent taste. It is mainly recommended for the cultivation of white asparagus. Wait until the 3rd year to start harvesting, then harvest every year from April to June for 10 to 15 years. Once cooked, asparagus can be consumed cold as an appetizer, or hot according to your preferences: in soups, gratins, sauces...

 

The colour of asparagus is not due to its variety but to the amount of light it receives. White asparagus grows entirely underground and is harvested as soon as the tip emerges from the soil. Purple asparagus is harvested a little later when the tip emerges from the ground. They have a purple head and a white stem. As for green asparagus, they grow in the light and turn green thanks to photosynthesis. Purple asparagus is grown in the same way as green asparagus. Their colour will actually change from purple to green when cooked. Each variety can therefore produce white or green asparagus, depending on the growing method, even if it is often recommended for a specific colour.

Asparagus is rich in fibre, vitamin C, and minerals. They can be cooked and consumed cold (as an appetizer, with mayonnaise or vinaigrette) or hot (creamy, gratins, sauces...). Green asparagus has a slightly stronger taste and does not need to be peeled.

Asparagus is planted as crowns in the ground. A crown is a cluster of underground roots. It will give rise to several young asparagus shoots, called spears. Choose carefully where you want to plant the asparagus as production lasts for 10 to 15 years. In summer, after harvesting, feathery foliage will appear. This foliage can be used in your flower arrangements, for example.

Harvesting: Asparagus is harvested in May and June (from April for early varieties), when they are at least 1cm (0.5in) in diameter. To harvest white and purple asparagus, use an asparagus knife. Insert it into the ground and make a levering motion to cut the asparagus. Green and purple asparagus can be cut by hand. In the first two years, do not harvest anything. In the 3rd year, harvest every other spear. Then, from the 4th year onwards, only harvest 2/3 of the spears to allow the plant to continue to grow.

Storage: To fully enjoy their flavour, consume the asparagus quickly after harvest. Asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, wrapped in a damp cloth. For long-term storage, you can freeze them or preserve them.

The gardener's tip: From the 3rd year onwards, you can plant other crops, such as green manure, between the rows of asparagus. They will provide nitrogen to the soil and limit weed growth. However, avoid clover and alfalfa, as they are susceptible to purple rhizoctone, just like asparagus. Cut down the green manure in autumn and incorporate it superficially.

Age: The asparagus crowns are already 2 years old, they can start producing in the 3rd year.

Harvest

Harvest time April to June
Type of vegetable Stem vegetable
Size of vegetable Medium
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value
Flavour Sweet
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1 m
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green
Product reference29311

Planting and care

Planting - 1st year:

Asparagus plants should be planted in March and April (or as early as February in mild climates). They require a sandy soil with good drainage. Plant the crowns in a sunny location, preferably where there have been no root vegetables in previous years.

In the autumn, dig a trench 40 cm (16in) wide and 25 cm (10in) deep for white or purple asparagus (15 cm (6in) for green and purple asparagus that do not require mounding). Keep the topsoil on one side and the subsoil on the other. Space the trenches 1.50 m (5ft) apart. Add well-rotted compost and mix it with the soil. If the soil is clay, add sand to the bottom of the trench.

In the following spring, inside the trench, form mounds 10 cm (4in) high (one mound every 60 cm (24in)). Add a 1 m (3ft) tall stake at the base of each mound to mark the location of the crowns and to tie the stems in case of wind.

Place the crown on the mound, with the tip pointing upwards, and spread out the roots to form a star shape. Completely cover the crowns with the subsoil, to a depth of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in). Firm the sides. Water thoroughly. Do not grow anything between the rows during the first two years, except for garlic and onions. Weed as needed. Do not harvest anything.

2nd year: Fill the trench with topsoil. Wait another year before starting to harvest.

From the 3rd year onwards:

In spring, apply a natural fertiliser rich in phosphorus and potassium. Incorporate it superficially. Mound up the stems by 30 cm (12in) (except for green and purple asparagus).

Harvesting begins from the 3rd year.

In autumn: Cut the stems 10 cm (4in) above the ground with pruners. Burn them to prevent the spread of, among other things, asparagus fly larvae. Lightly cultivate the soil surface to break up the crust. Flatten the mounds. Apply well-rotted compost and incorporate it into the surface.

16
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Cultivation

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Good

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Light
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130
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