Asparagus
Asparagus is a vegetable that thrives almost anywhere in Canada. Grow asparagus in well-drained soil with a neutral pH. (Add lime to the soil if it is acidic). Asparagus is usually planted in trenches from plants called crowns. Allow asparagus to grow without harvesting the year it is planted. In the second year, harvest spears that are 0.5 in. in diameter, but only for two weeks. In subsequent years, harvest for five to eight weeks, then allow the shoots to develop into ferny growth to build up the roots for the following year's crop.
Mary Washington
Mary Washington is one of the most popular heirloom asparagus varieties and is an excellent choice for the garden. The delicious spears are tender, thick, heavy and straight and are of a rich dark green colour with a purple tinge.
Days to Maturity: N/A (Perennial) Sun Exposure: Full Sun |
Purple Passion
Purple Passion asparagus provide medium spears that are purple, smooth and have a nutty flavour. This plant will produce medium sized, thick spears over and over. Great early Spring eating. Will be approximately 8 in. tall at full maturity.
Days to Maturity: N/A (Perennial) Sun Exposure: Full Sun |
Garlic
Garlic is well known as a food that has many health benefits. These bulbs are so easy to grow whether planting a softneck type in the spring as a quick harvest in late summer or as long storing hardneck type when planted in the fall and harvested the following summer. Bulbs have long storage capabilities that last all winter and still maintain that same delicious flavour. Garlic has become very popular to grow in all types of gardens and takes up minimal space.
Garlic
California Spring softneck Garlic can be eaten as green garlic scapes (the curly top of the plant) or late fall garlic bulbs. Mild garlic flavour which is great for cooking and sauces. Harvest when the tops of the garlic have started to wither and dry out.
Days to Maturity: 110 Exposure: Full Sun |
Horseradish
Horseradish is a rugged, cold-hardy perennial that thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade. Horseradish needs little to no attention in order to thrive, just make sure the soil isn't waterlogged and water it once a week during dry spells. The only draw back to growing this tasty plant is that it an become quite invasive, so plant where you are able to contain it or where you're comfortable having it spread. Whatever you do, don't till up ground containing Horseradish root or place roots in your compost pile, because you risk spreading the plant all over the garden.
Horseradish
Horseradish is a root vegetable that is white, firm and spicy. Used in many recipes or horseradish sauce. Harvest roots after first frost or when the leaves yellow. It is best not to harvest the whole plant so that you will have new growth the following year.
Days to Maturity: 100 Sun Exposure: Full Sun |