Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Seedy Subjects! => Seeds Wanted => Topic started by: Alberto on March 25, 2010, 08:27:42 PM

Title: Asparagus
Post by: Alberto on March 25, 2010, 08:27:42 PM

Hi All, I am looking for seeds of Asparagus. I have a little collection of plants from South Africa, but I'd like to grow also species from the Mediterranean area and Asia. Does anyone grow them?
Many thanks.

Ciao
Alberto
 

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Stephenb on March 25, 2010, 09:26:10 PM

I can't help with seed of wild Asparagus I'm afraid. I have A. verticillatus and A. tenuifolius as well as A. officinalis, but none of them have flowered...

However, where you are in Northern Italy, you should have wild A. acutifolius and A. tenuifolius as well as A. officinalis? I know that the shoots of these species were wild foraged for food at least in the past!

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 26, 2010, 08:53:17 AM

I could supply seeds of the cultivated asparagus but not until about next July/August. I mean the one we eat (preferably in large quantities ;D).

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 26, 2010, 09:29:08 AM

Quote from: Lesley Cox on March 26, 2010, 08:53:17 AM

I could supply seeds of the cultivated asparagus but not until about next July/August. I mean the one we eat (preferably in large quantities ;D).

Ah, but Lesley, can you send on the hollandaise sauce as well?

Paddy

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Hans J on March 26, 2010, 10:11:19 AM

In my area ( south west of Germany ) is in this week offered the first Asparagus .....the kg / 17 Euro  ;)

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Alberto on March 26, 2010, 04:47:32 PM

Many thanks to all of you!
Hans, keep a few for next July, so I must not to eat all the other plants of your garden!  :)

Alberto

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Hans J on March 26, 2010, 04:51:19 PM

 ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 26, 2010, 05:33:44 PM

I have a large bed of asparagus in the garden - not a sign of any spears yet but I wait with relish, or should I say melting butter/hollandaise sauce.

Paddy

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Gail on March 26, 2010, 05:47:47 PM

Have you tried any of the purple cultivars of asparagus?  I bought a couple of crowns of 'Purple Pacific'; the spears are much sweeter than normal and are lovely to eat raw, they don't make it to the kitchen...

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Paddy Tobin on March 26, 2010, 06:32:15 PM

Gail,

My wife has often complained about the poor yields from the asparagus bed. I have never told her that I eat a lot while in the garden as did the kids but we never told her.

Never tried the purple cultivars, sound interesting.

Paddy

Title: Re: Asparagus
Post by: Lesley Cox on March 27, 2010, 03:05:22 AM

Quote from: Paddy Tobin on March 26, 2010, 09:29:08 AM

Quote from: Lesley Cox on March 26, 2010, 08:53:17 AM

I could supply seeds of the cultivated asparagus but not until about next July/August. I mean the one we eat (preferably in large quantities ;D).

Ah, but Lesley, can you send on the hollandaise sauce as well?

Paddy

I really think the Hollandaise would be better made on site and on the day. I usually can't be bothered and if I don't eat it raw (and yes, the purple is VERY good raw), I just smear some butter over.