My neighbour made the superfluous observation that these look indecent. He’s not wrong. Brandish one carelessly in a public place and you could get arrested.
Thick asparagus spears are delicious if properly prepared – but woody and chewy if not. If you don’t know how to do it, I made a video last year about harvesting and preparing thick asparagus for the kitchen (mp4).
Posted on 19th April 2009
Under: Asparagus | 2 Comments »
The onion sets are sprouting nicely. Only three got pulled up by birds, which is a result; most years I can count on replanting 30% thanks to the magpies.
Less good news is that weeds are already rampant. I’ve decided that the World’s Worst Weed is definitely couch grass.
I know, I know: Marestail is ineradicable, but at least it’s fairly easy to control. Ditto brambles and nettles, which both hate determined cultivation.
Couch, on the other hand, is the Daddy of weeds. I hack it up, grub it up, pull it up and rip it out. I burn it, bury it, hoe it and bin it. Couch destruction figures in my dreams.
But there it always is, waiting for me every time I visit the allotment. On my plot, Couch is King.
What’s your most loathed weed?
Posted on 10th April 2009
Under: Alliums, Asparagus, Weeds | 11 Comments »
The countdown’s begun. Just a few days now – a week at most.
The asparagus kettle has been dug out and dusted down. The free range eggs have been assembled for the hollandaise sauce. Air freshener has been bought for the khazi.
Only time stands in the way of the year’s first asparagus pig-out.
Posted on 7th April 2009
Under: Asparagus | 7 Comments »
If you’re thinking about planting asparagus crowns and haven’t done it before, this may help. And if you have done it before, you can tell me what I’m doing wrong…
from on .
Posted on 31st March 2009
Under: Asparagus | 13 Comments »
It’s, like, TOTAL excitement: The globe artichokes seedlings have finally germinated. After almost 3 weeks.
That’s not all. My new asparagus crowns have arrived. Which means I’ve GOT to get the bramble bed ready to receive them this weekend.
Which means I’ll need to get some compost. And dig it in. And pull out the remaining bramble roots. And perhaps make a movie about it. And… and…
* Nurse! The sedative! *
Posted on 27th March 2009
Under: Asparagus, Globe artichokes | 4 Comments »
I have to face two cruel facts:
Proof of the first: Since Christmas, I have completed but one task at the allotment – manuring the asparagus. That’s it. Sod all else. This is a dismal performance, even by my low winter standards.
Proof of the second: None of my trousers fit. Some don’t even come close.
So I have a plan. To counter the laziness issue, I plan to do… nothing. And my response to being a porker will be… nothing. Because the main thing, when you’re in the shit, is to Face Up To The Truth. Action can come later, if ever.
I feel so much better for tackling the problem head-on. See how some simple, home-spun philosophising can change your whole outlook? I tell you, I should bottle this stuff.
Posted on 24th January 2009
Under: Asparagus, Rants, Winter | 6 Comments »
I didn’t see it when I took the picture. But while I was uploading it from my camera, I spotted this asparagus beetle larva on the fronds.
Asparagus beetle is more of a pain than a threat. Plants are pretty much unaffected by anything but the heaviest infestation.
But the beetles leave little black eggs on the stems, and they’re a nuisance to rub off when you’re preparing the spears for eating.
Little bastards. In Spring, I go on the attack!
Posted on 22nd October 2008
Under: Asparagus | 4 Comments »