What is the difference between thick and thin asparagus?
The fibers of the stalk are more tightly packed together. The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, meanwhile, says that thicker stalks are of higher quality. Thicker stalks are usually higher in fiber, according to Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops at Pennsylvania State University .
Does size matter when it comes to picking the best asparagus?
Here’s a tip I learned this spring: when it comes to picking the best asparagus, size doesn’t matter at all. There’s a common belief among asparagus lovers, which I myself held true for years, that thin asparagus is tender while thick asparagus is woody and tough. It seemed to make sense, at least visually.
How do I know when to stop growing asparagus?
Your plants will tell you when it’s time to stop by producing thin asparagus stalks no thicker than a pencil. Younger plants can usually tolerate a harvest of about half this time. Did you find this helpful?
What determines the size and thickness of a spear?
The thickness of a spear has nothing to do with its age—that is, a thin spear will not mature into a thicker spear. Rather, diameter is determined by two factors: the age of the entire plant (younger crowns produce more slender stalks) and its variety.
Why is some asparagus fat and some skinny?
It's not as cut and dried as that, though, because the same plant will produce a range of sizes. Asparagus grows from a mass of roots, and each mass sends up scores of spears. Those that come up closest to the center, where the plant stores its nutrients, are fatter. Those farther out on the fringe are thinner.
Why are my asparagus so thin?
Lack of Water. These plants are moderately drought tolerant and will survive without a lot of water, but dry conditions will cause them to grow more slowly and produce thinner, weaker stalks. During the first couple of growing seasons, plants should receive one to two inches of water per week.
Why is some asparagus so big?
Each new asparagus spear grows from a bud that forms on the crown. There are never two spears that grow from the same bud, so as the asparagus plant ages (and as long as the underground crown is not damaged from harvesting, insects or diseases), the crown grows larger and larger as more buds are created.
Is it OK to eat thick asparagus?
People seem to have the mistaken impression that thick stalks of asparagus are going to be woody or texturally unpleasant, but in reality, when you prep and cook it correctly, thick asparagus is one of the best vegetables around.
What causes thick asparagus?
As the asparagus plant matures, less growth is dedicated to producing crude fiber and the spears thicken with soft, soluble fiber and other nutrients.
What is thin asparagus called?
Pencil asparagus are varieties that are cultivated and harvested young specifically for their thin, tender spears. Their stems are pistachio green capped with purple- green cruciferous tree-shaped tips.
Which are better fat or thin asparagus?
The vegetable's fiber is slightly more concentrated in thinner spears. Since thick and thin spears are both good bets, choose the size that best suits your cooking method. Thicker stalks are better for broiling and roasting because they will stand up to the intense dry heat that would quickly shrivel skinnier spears.
Is skinny asparagus good?
New York Times columnist and author Mark Bittman writes that he prefers the thin stalks of asparagus but acknowledges that any asparagus is as simple to prepare as it is delicious to eat. Contrary to what you might hear, the thinner stalks are more firm than thicker stalks when cooked.
Which type of asparagus is best?
The best asparagus varieties to grow are: Conovers Colossal, Erasmus, Grande Hybrid, Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight, Jersey Supreme, Mary Washington, Millenium, Purple Passion, & Spartacus. Some of these have purple spears, but most are green.
How do you make asparagus grow better?
Choose a fertile, sunny, well-drained site with soil that holds moisture well. Late spring frosts can kill emerged spears, so find an area that is not low-lying or exposed to frost. Asparagus plants have deep root systems. Avoid areas with shallow soils, or soils prone to water-saturation.
How do you rejuvenate an asparagus bed?
Use an organic fertilizer in the early spring, before spears begin to emerge, to give plants a boost. Apply nitrogen after harvesting is finished to encourage foliage growth. You can also fill in the gaps between old plants with some young, fresh roots. You will end up with a nice, solid bed in a few years.
What fertilizer is best for asparagus?
Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .
Does asparagus need a lot of water?
Asparagus needs regular watering, especially while young; give it 1 to 2 inches of water per week during its first two growing seasons; give older plants about 1 inch per week.