Adding Asparagus Plants to Your Garden Can Make You Healthier

Feb. 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Asparagus are vegetables that lend themselves to also being ornamental garden plants. A member of the lily family, asparagus grows best planted deeply in sandy soils. Asparagus crowns, under ideal conditions, can generate spears up to 10 inches tall in a 24-hour period. Crowns produce spears for approximately 6 to 7 weeks during mid spring to early summer.

After the harvesting period is completed, the spears grow into ferns, producing berries and nutrients for the plants to become productive next year. Newly transplanted asparagus plants can take up to 3 years before harvesting as the crowns develop a strong, extensive root system. Planting asparagus deeply allows the spears to grow thicker. Shallow planting typically produces thin spears.

Some of the healthy benefits from eating asparagus are:

• Low in calories (20 per 5 oz. serving)
• Low in sodium
• No fat or cholesterol
• High in folic acid
• Good source of potassium
• Good source of protein

Most asparagus are found as bare root crowns. Potted asparagus plants with strong root systems are available through www.greenwoodnursery.com. Typical planting time is early to mid spring for potted asparagus.

Don’t waste another year! Plant your asparagus plants now so you will be harvesting beautiful green spears in a few short seasons.

Mary Washington Asparagus heirloom variety asparagus are available today from Greenwood Nursery Online Plant Nursery. The sooner you plant your asparagus plants, the sooner you will be harvesting dinner in your garden. Order your asparagus plants from Greenwood Nursery at http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm/196440

Cheryl Jones is a second-generation nursery owner. Ms. Jones started Greenwood Nursery with her partner in 1979. After years of plant propagation and producing field grown asparagus, in 1998, Greenwood Nursery took its plant catalog online and began selling direct to the home gardener.