One of my favorite summer routines is taking daily (or hourly) strolls through my garden, plucking and eating edible leaves as I go.Probably my all-time-favorite things to eat straight o
12.06.2023 - 00:53 / gardenerspath.com / Heather Buckner
Why Is My Asparagus Thin? Tips for Growing Thick SpearsAsparagus is one of those crops that requires a decent dose of patience to grow.
This perennial veggie takes a few years before you can begin harvesting, so it can be devastating when you finally make it to picking time and you notice the spears are thin and weak.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
If this happens, don’t panic! Once you identify the source of the problem it shouldn’t be too tricky to fix. Read on to learn about causes and solutions for thin asparagus spears.
Healthy roots, or crowns, are key to growing thick, abundant spears.
While asparagus isn’t super high-maintenance once it’s established, it requires nutrient-rich soil, adequate water, and ample sunlight to thrive.
If you regularly notice thin spears, it is likely that one thing or another has resulted in less than ideal growing conditions. This leads to weaker roots, which may struggle to produce healthy stalks.
There are a few factors that could cause this to happen, and narrowing in on the cause can be helpful in finding an appropriate solution.
Let’s take a look at the common culprits, to determine what you might be dealing with, and how to resolve it.
1. Not Planting Deeply EnoughAsparagus crowns prefer to be buried a few inches into the earth. They should be planted in rows about eight inches deep, so the shoots are facing up.
Cover crowns with three to five inches of soil, adding more as the shoots emerge until the trench is filled in.
If you notice the crowns are not quite deep enough, don’t fret, just add a couple of inches of soil until they are appropriately covered.
Check out our comprehensive guide to learn more
One of my favorite summer routines is taking daily (or hourly) strolls through my garden, plucking and eating edible leaves as I go.Probably my all-time-favorite things to eat straight o
Every summer, I wait impatiently for my tomato plants to ripen. And I relish the moment the first ‘Brandywine’ tomato is ready to be picked in particular.In my opinion, there is nothing quite as juicy and flavorful as a freshl
With magnificently colorful blooms that put on a dazzling display all summer long, it is no wonder zinnias are such popular flowers.What’s more, these show-stopping annuals are in
Morning glories, Ipomoea purpurea, are quick-growing vines, popular for their colorful flowers that open each morning from summer until the first frost of fall.Reaching between six and 10 feet in height,
The large, eye catching blooms of amaryllis, Hippeastrum x hybridum, can add astonishing color to the garden and make for perfect indoor displays.Suitable for outdoor cultivation in
Are you sick of mowing all the time? Why not replace that time consuming, resource draining lawn with a beautiful meadow of low-growing chamomile?Perfect for slopes and other hard to
Nothing completes a homemade soup or salad like a sprig of aromatic parsley fresh out of the garden. Low-maintenance once established, this often finicky herb does take a bit of patience to get started.Whether you live in a warm
One of the things I was most eager for when I became a homeowner was finally having the space and time to grow my own fruit and nut trees.I was especially excited when I lear
Cabbage plants grow firm, round heads surrounded by large, loose outer foliage.Tying up the outer leaves is not a
When I began my studies as an herbalist, I was immediately drawn to wanting to learn more about motherwort.This medicinal herb has a reputation for redu
Kohlrabi is a vegetable that really deserves more attention.In addition to its deliciously crisp bulbs, the plant produces l
Bottlebrush plants are popular for their colorful bristly blooms that continue all through the summer.Hummingbirds certainly seem to love them!And with