Typically asparagus needs 3 years to reach maturity before it is ready to be harvested for the plate. Over those 3 years the plants are left to grow and flower, which is then cut back. Our plants in the tunnel are now in year 3 and at this time of year the growth and flowers start to die back and are ready to be cut and removed, leaving the plants open and clear in preparation for the new shoots to emerge next year.
Dominated by dead vegetation the photograph above illustrates that the polytunnel plants are ready for all the dead material to be removed.
Equipped with loppers the stems were carefully removed and loaded on to our small trailer, which were destined for the compost heap.
What a difference - with a huge amount of tall material removed, it let an enormous of additional light in, which is particularly significant at this time of year when the sun sets early and never manages to get very high in the sky for long.
Alongside the bonus of additional light, it also gave us an insight into how this particularly variety of asparagus earnt its name - Connovers Colossal - which produces large thick spears which are claimed to have exceptional flavour. The picture below certainly demonstrates the large thick spears, as for the flavour, that is one of the treats of being in the horticultural business, of which we look forward to reaping the rewards.
Large thick spears indeed and next spring, we will watch with great excitement and expectation, when the new shoots will start to appear and we wait readily with our sharp knife in preparation for harvesting!!
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