If you have questions about the NZ Asparagus Council or the asparagus industry please contact: Matt Thorn Horticulture New Zealand Level 4, Co-operative Bank House 20 Ballance Street, Wellington Phone 0275537848 Email matt.thorn@hortnz.co.nz
Author | NZ Asparagus
New Zealand Asparagus Manual
Sorry, but you do not have permission to view this content.
Research Reports
Sorry, but you do not have permission to view this content.
Did you know
Asparagus is a perennial, with separate male and female plants. It is a native of south-central Europe, western and central Asia and North Africa where it still can be commonly found. It is an ancient crop used by the Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations over 2000 years ago. In fact, Cato described the cultivation of […]
Minutes of meetings
Please login to the growers section or contact us to become a member of the website
Forms – Commodity Levy and Other
Sorry, but you do not have permission to view this content.
What to look for when buying asparagus
Choose straight firm green stems. Select fresh, clean product with trimmed ends and a minimum of white butt. Fresh asparagus is ‘squeaky’ – when the spears are gently rubbed they squeak; old asparagus is rubbery and doesn’t squeak.
How to store asparagus
Keep asparagus refrigerated with butt ends either wrapped in wet paper towels, stand up in a jar with 1-2 cm of water (like flowers in a vase), or alternatively wash, then refrigerate in plastic bags.
Asparagus growing
Asparagus is a versatile crop and can provide steady returns for astute commercially minded growers.
Soil
Asparagus is a hardy crop and will withstand a variety of soils. Sandy, silty, light textured soils are best with good drainage. The roots of asparagus can penetrate up to 1 meter below the surface and soil must be suitable for this.