How to Plant Asparagus Seeds
Here are detailed explanations on how to plant asparagus seeds, as well as tips on asparagus cultivation techniques and green plant care experience.
Today, the author has summarized the cultivation techniques of asparagus, introducing them from aspects such as selecting good seeds, seedling raising, soil selection and site preparation, and field management.
One: Selecting Good Seeds
Asparagus is a perennial herbaceous plant with strong adaptability and many varieties. The key to high-quality and high-yield crops is whether suitable, good-quality, and high-yielding varieties can be selected for local conditions. In 1990, the UC800 new variety was introduced, which showed early sprouting, uniform growth of tender stems, tight and non-loosening head scales, dark green color, high yield, dwarf-type plants, disease resistance, fast growth, and lodging resistance. It is an ideal variety for both green and white asparagus cultivation.
Two: Seedling Raising
1. Selection of seedling raising site. Choose loose, fertile soil with good breathability, such as loamy or sandy loam soil for the seedling raising site. The pH value should be between 6.0 and 6.7, with good drainage and ventilation, preferably in a windless and sunny location.
2. Timing and methods of seedling raising. Generally, use small arch tunnels for seedling raising in mid-to-late March. First, deeply turn the soil by about 25 centimeters, apply 3,300 to 5,000 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer and 50 kilograms of ternary compound fertilizer per 667 square meters, mix the fertilizer with the soil, and then make high ridges 10 to 15 meters long, 1.2 or 1.5 meters wide, and 20 centimeters high. The ridge surface should be level and the soil finely crumbled, with drainage ditches reserved for irrigation. Seedling raising can also be done using nutrient pots, with 6 parts of clean garden soil (not previously planted with asparagus), 4 parts of thoroughly decomposed organic fertilizer, and 0.2% of superphosphate (based on the amount of garden soil). Before sowing, fill the nutrient soil into nutrient pots with a diameter of 7 to 10 centimeters and a height of 12 centimeters.
3. Seed soaking and germination. Before soaking, clean the seeds with water to remove the waxy surface, then soak them in a 50% carbendazim solution diluted 250-300 times for 24 hours, followed by soaking in warm water at 25-30°C for 2-3 days, changing the water 2-3 times a day. After soaking, wrap the seeds in damp gauze and place them in a temperature range of 25-30°C to keep moist and induce germination, washing the seeds twice a day with water. Sow when one-tenth of the seeds have white sprouts.
4. Sowing method. Thoroughly water the seedbed before sowing, wait for the water to seep in, then mark straight lines at a spacing of 10 centimeters, and plant the germinated seeds in the center of the squares.
5. Keeping warm. Immediately after sowing, cover with plastic film to ensure that the soil temperature below 5 centimeters is 25-30°C during the day and 15-18°C at night. When the seedlings are out, promptly uncover the film if the temperature inside the bed exceeds 32°C to harden the seedlings.
Three: Soil Selection and Site Preparation
Asparagus grows well in soft, fertile sandy loam soil with good breathability, drainage, and abundant organic matter, which is beneficial for root development and high-quality, high-yield tender stems. As asparagus is a perennial crop, after planting, the land cannot be fully plowed, so it is essential to deeply turn and prepare the soil before planting. Generally, the soil should be plowed to a depth of 30-40 centimeters, and 2,500-3,500 kilograms of decomposed soil manure and 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer should be applied per 667 square meters. After plowing, level the soil, take care of the field irrigation and drainage works, and plant in a north-south direction. The row spacing is 1.2-1.5 meters, the ditch width is 40-50 centimeters, and the depth is 30-40 centimeters. Before transplanting, apply 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer, 42.5 kilograms of cake fertilizer, and 23 cubic meters of organic fertilizer in the ditch, mix evenly with the backfilled soil. When transplanting, the planting ditch should be 10 centimeters from the ground. Plant one seedling every 25-30 centimeters, with 1,500-2,000 holes per 667 square meters. Grade the seedlings and plant them in the same direction with the underground stem再生鳞芽 end facing the same direction to facilitate ridge formation and spear harvesting. After the seedlings have survived, fill the planting ditch in stages.
Four: Field Management
1. Seedling inspection and replacement. Within one month after planting, inspect and replace seedlings. When replacing seedlings, water thoroughly to ensure survival.
2. Watering. After planting, water promptly to settle the seedlings, then cover with soil after the water has seeped in. Water as needed based on weather conditions and soil moisture. In the hot summer and autumn seasons, water in the evening to keep the soil moisture充足 and maintain normal plant growth; before winter freezing, water to help asparagus overwinter safely.
3. Fertilization. One month after planting, the seedlings will enter the normal growth stage, at which time it is important to ensure that the soil fertility keeps up with plant growth. Generally, apply 10-15 kilograms of urea per 667 square meters to promote balanced growth of seedlings. If the weather is dry, water as needed; if it rains a lot and the humidity in the air is high, drain promptly to prevent waterlogging and root rot. In August, asparagus enters the vigorous growth stage of autumn. At this time, the demand for fertilizer increases, and a heavy application of autumn fertilizer is needed to promote rapid growth of asparagus in August, September, and October, laying the foundation for early high yields in the second year. Generally, apply 2-3 cubic meters of organic fertilizer, 25 kilograms of compound fertilizer, and 10 kilograms of urea per 667 square meters. Apply the fertilizer in furrows 40 centimeters away from the plants. After entering August, prepare for a new round of fertilization. The method can be furrow application, applying fertilizer in furrows 40 centimeters away from the plants. Also, pay attention to pest and disease control. In winter, the above-ground part of asparagus begins to wither, and the nutrients in the plant transfer to the underground roots, which is beneficial for strong root growth and high yields in spring. In late winter and early spring, thoroughly clean the above-ground plants to reduce the source of disease.
How to plant asparagus seeds
4. Thinning and topping. In the early stage, the stems are thin and dense, so it is necessary to thin the branches once every half month, removing weak and diseased branches. After October, when the plant height reaches 15 meters, topping is performed.
5. Pest and disease control. The main diseases of asparagus include stem blight, anthracnose, and wilt, while common pests include underground pests and thrips.
① Agricultural control. Promptly remove field积水, ensure balanced fertilization, apply organic and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and clean the garden in winter and spring, removing diseased and damaged plant parts from the asparagus field and burning them.
② Chemical control. When diseases occur, generally apply 70% thiophanate-methyl 80-100 grams or 75% carbendazim 100 grams diluted in water for spraying per 667 square meters, or use 80% thiophanate-methyl 800 times liquid for spraying, spraying once every 7-10 days for 2-3 times. Use phoxim granules to control underground pests; use pyrethroid insecticides, specific insect growth regulators, pymetrozine, abamectin, etc., for scientific harvesting. In the second year after planting, asparagus enters the harvesting period. Harvesting should be done before sunrise to prevent discoloration and quality issues after sunlight exposure. When harvesting, dig open the surface soil at the soil cracks, gently pinch the tip of the spear 3 centimeters below, cut off the spear near the underground stem with a harvesting knife, and harvest all tender stems that have reached the standard height (18-20 centimeters) at once to prevent nutrient consumption. After harvesting, cover the soil well. After the harvesting season, promptly dig open the ridge soil to prevent the incomplete removal of ridge soil, which could raise the position of the underground stem and affect product quality. After removing the soil, cut off all exposed tender stems.
The above content on how to plant asparagus seeds and asparagus cultivation techniques and cultivation brought by the Green Plant Enthusiast website can be used as a reference for green plant enthusiasts.