No, you don’t have to blanch asparagus before pickling, but doing so can improve the final texture and color of your pickled spears. If you’ve been wondering whether to blanch asparagus before pickling, the short answer is that it’s optional. That said, many experienced picklers choose to blanch asparagus first because it helps … Read more
You should fertilize asparagus in the fall, but only if you follow a few important rules. Fall fertilization can help asparagus crowns store energy for a strong spring harvest, but timing and type of fertilizer matter more than most gardeners realize. If you get it right, your asparagus bed will reward you with … Read more
You don’t have to blanch asparagus, but doing so can improve its texture, color, and flavor in certain dishes. While blanching asparagus isn’t mandatory, many cooks swear by it for everything from salads to veggie trays. If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to blanch asparagus before cooking or eating it, the short … Read more
You should cut the top off asparagus, but only the tough, woody part at the very bottom of the stalk, not the tender tip. When you cut the top off asparagus, you’re actually trimming the end that’s too fibrous to chew, while the tip stays intact because that’s the most delicious part. If … Read more
You should cut back asparagus ferns in the winter, but only after the foliage has died back completely and the plant has gone fully dormant. Timing is everything here, because cutting too early can weaken the plant and reduce next year’s harvest. If you’ve been wondering whether you should cut back asparagus ferns … Read more
You can cut asparagus ferns down in the fall, and doing so is actually a smart way to prepare your plants for the colder months ahead. While it might feel a little brutal to chop back all that lovely feathery foliage, cutting asparagus ferns down in the fall helps your plants conserve energy and … Read more