The cultivation of green asparagus

Where are your green asparagus grown?

Thanks to mild temperatures and scarce rainfall, the areas of the Peruvian Coast have the ideal climate for growing asparagus throughout the year. The Ica region in the south represents 35% of the production. In the North, La Libertad occupies most of the remaining half and represents 63% of Peruvian production.

I have read that it is the asparagus grown even in the desert? Is that true? How is this possible in terms of nutrition?

Indeed, the best soils for asparagus are loose or sandy, therefore the desert soils of the Peruvian coast are ideal for their depth, lack of stones, their loose structure, which allow good drainage and at the same time have good moisture retention and organic matter, Peruvian soils are excellent for the development of healthy roots and healthy and perfect shoots.

What is important in cultivation to get the best quality?

There are several factors that influence the quality of asparagus, Peru reunites the optimal characteristics for the development of the crop, which are:

• Climate: The asparagus plant grows perfectly both in temperate and subtropical climates and even adapts to tropical climates.
• Soil must have the ideal characteristics of depth, looseness, humidity and nutrition for the good development of the asparagus.
• Water, it is very important throughout the development of the asparagus that it receives the necessary as it is a plant that contains 90% water in its composition, this must be sufficient and of quality throughout the development of the crop.
• Relative humidity, must be kept between 60 and 70% for the development of an excellent quality asparagus.

What is the difference between the white and green asparagus? What is the difference in cultivation?

The main difference lies in the harvest itself, the asparagus that grows inside the earth remains white, so it changes color due to the synthesis that the plant makes when it receives the sun's rays. The green asparagus sprouts from the ground, receives light and is harvested when it reaches the appropriate height, however the white asparagus is covered by small mountains of earth that prevent photosynthesis, growing the shoots in shade while maintaining the white color. These are dug up to be harvested and kept in the dark to prevent color change.

Why are green asparagus an expensive vegetable?

It should not be considered an expensive product, asparagus is still considered an exotic product, its consumption in producing countries is often not widespread, as in the case of Peru, so its production is almost exclusively for export and requires a significant investment in technology, labor since it must be cultivated by hand, preparation and fertilization of soils, compliance with quality standards of the destination countries that demand heavy investments to make asparagus cultivation sustainable.

Why are green asparagus popular during the holidays?

Due to the flavor, the beautiful color of asparagus, its versatility to adapt to different preparations and the dissemination of the healthy benefits of this vegetable it has become more popular, in addition to the preference that exists among the adults and elderly who transmit their knowledge and traditions with the new generations sharing their preference for the consumption of asparagus, especially on holydays.

Are there any fun (health) facts to tell about the green asparagus?

White asparagus is not genetically induced in any way. Instead, the lack of pigment in white spears results from the absence of sunlight. Farmers pile soil over the emerging spears and cut them off from below to produce the ghostly novelty. Purple asparagus, on the other hand, is a genetic variety. But don't get too excited - it reverts to green when cooked.

The love of asparagus inspired an old Latin saying. The emperor Caesar Augustus used it: "Velocius quam asparagi conquantur" which can be translated as "faster than cooking asparagus" to refer to a task that had to be done in the least time possible.