Here is what my Dad (Albert E. ‘ Bert’ Kelley )said in a little Q & A Today.
Q. How and when did you start the Asparagus?
A. “I don’t know, maybe 20-25 years ago. The most important thing is getting a good deep bed. You want to put some lose material under the sets. Plant them fairly deep, then bury them on top.”
Q. Did you get the sets from the Shaffer’s down the street.
A. “No, the Shaffer’s had them, but I think I got them from The Hart Farm on Upper County Road. I put in the sets, and also planted seeds.”
Q. You just got back from Florida, the Asparagus are all ready, what is your secret?
A. “There is no secret. I don’t cut them in the Fall. I let the leaves pile in there as mulch for the winter. I use 10-10 fertilizer in spring and fall. Sometimes I put seaweed in the bed too.”
Q. How many weeks are you harvesting?
A. “They are usually ready in early May, they keep coming into June. In the old days, we used to have fields of Asparagus on Cape Cod, for food. George Gomes had fields of them on the Lower Cape.”

Q. What is your favorite recipe?
A. “Harvest shoots at about 8 to 10 inches. Snap off the bottom thick part. Fry them in a skillet with Onions and Mushrooms, with eggs and cheese.. makes an omelet and a half. Mom blanches them, puts them on toast with a butter sauce, tomatoes on the side, makes a great supper.”
If you see Bert in his Garden, slow down and say hello. You may end up with some goodies. Dave was in the right spot at the right time.

Thanks Dad. We can’t wait to see what you have growing in July!
More on Asparagus here.