Asparagus!

It is with great pleasure and satisfaction I announce that yesterday evening marked the first asparagus harvest of 2010! (Ok, that's a little grandiose... the "harvest" was only one beautiful 5" sprig, but it was still exciting.) It was delicious broken into tiny pieces and added to my salad.

This year will be the first year we can heavily harvest this bed, just beginning its 3rd year in the ground. (Hint: Spending a little more money up front and getting the 3 yr old crowns initially pays off a year quicker in harvest. too.) There are about 8 plants in this one, and I see about a dozen fat little spears poking up through the sandy soil now. The younger plants in the next bed are 2 this year, and we will be able to pick and choose a few select spears.

I wish I could tell you what the varieties are, but of course I can't remember. (See previous post.) This is made more humorous by the that fact I researched asparagus varieties for weeks before choosing exactly what to plant, and while the older ones are rather purplish, and I think there are a few Martha Washington's in there filling up the spaces that didn't "take", the two main varieties are now anybody's guess.

In any case, we've waited a long time to have our fill of home grown, organic asparagus, and looks like this could be our year. In fact, with 20 plants, in a couple of years we might be buried in it! It's the most satisfying part of growing your own food.

I'd like to get a strawberry bed going this year, but I need suggestions on a good variety. I'm not into the everbearing kind, I'd rather have many sweet, larger ones once a year than pick small, constant yields all year.

I am so thankful it's spring! Finally!