GOOD VEGET ASPARAGUS - Roots & Seed.
Seed Culture.
Start transplants about 80 days before last spring frost. Sow 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep in sterile growing medium, water and keep temperature 65 to 80 degrees. Germination can take up to 21 days. Transplant to a well prepared, fertilized bed after danger of frost, deeply dug with lots of organic matter. Set plants 12 in. apart in a 6 in. trench, 2 in. deep. Fill in trench as asparagus grows. Begin harvest in 3 to 4 years. Zones 3-10.
Planting roots speeds up harvest by at least 1 to 2 years. Plant roots shortly after receiving them in a well prepared, deeply dug, fertilized bed with plenty of organic matter. Pre- fers light, loose soil. Set roots in trenched rows 12 in. apart, rows 3 to 5 ft. apart. Trench should be 6 in. deep. Cover roots with 2 in. of soil. Fill in the trench as asparagus grows. Keep moist. Fertilize again the next spring. Begin harvest in 2 to 3 years. Zones 3-10.
Root Culture.
01005PL MARY WASHINGTON ROOTS. One-year old, extra-heavy roots. Rust resistant. Considered to be the most tender of all asparagus varieties. Used by many commercial growers and extensively used by backyard gardeners. Plants form large, clean shoots, which are thick, heavy, long and straight. Color is a rich dark green, slightly tinged purple at the tightly folded tips. Uniform heavy yields. Plant 15 roots for each family member. Roots are available March 15 through May 15. Asparagus roots will be shipped separately from the balance of your order at the proper planting time. 10 roots $11.50; 20 roots $19.50; 50 roots $39.95; 100 roots $67.95.
01005 MARY WASHINGTON SEED. Light cutting in three years, regular cuttings thereafter. A select strain of the most popular variety. Produces big, uniform stalks. (A) Pkt. (approx. 125 seeds) $2.25; 3+ $2.10 each; (L) 1 oz. (approx. 800 seeds) $4.95; (M) 1/4 lb. $12.95.
INDEX PAGE 28 n
OUR 148th YEAR
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10 N the
vegetables – thrive! Create plant re- lationships that result in natural insect control, weed control and increased bounty ... simply by identifying good and bad plant companions! This il- lustrated, alphabetized guide con- tains hundreds of interesting and educational facts. Written by Lou- ise Riotte. Paperback. 224 pages. $14.95 each.
planting and watch your garden – particularly your
secrets
04498PL PURPLE SWEET ROOTS. Color as rich as its yields. More tender than green asparagus, with a sweet and nutty fla- vor in extra-large, deep burgundy spears. Large, extra-heavy, 1-year- old roots. 10 roots $13.95; 20 roots $22.95; 50 roots $54.95; 100 roots $97.50.
Complete Asparagus Garden See Page 3. Artichokes.
04524 JERUSALEM. Unusual, nutty flavor, with water chestnut texture. Eat raw in salads or add to Oriental foods at the last minute of cooking. Cook like potatoes for a starch substitute – excellent for di- ets, with only 8 calories per 4-ounce serving. Grow and store like potatoes. We ship grade #1 tubers. (P) 1 lb. $10.25; (P) 3 lb. $24.95.
55469 CARROTS LOVE TOMATOES.
of companion Learn WISE GUIDES.
76255 GROWING VEGETABLES in
matoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers and more. Step-by-step instructions show you how to do everything from sourcing the straw and setting up your bale to planting, dealing with weeds and pests, and harvesting. Written by Craig LeHoullier. Paperback. 96 pages. $8.95 each.
your favorite vegetable seeds! Grow to-
STRAW BALES. They’re not just for fall decorations! Easy to plant. Less water. Earlier harvests! Straw bale gardening is an inexpensive, low-maintenance way to grow a boun- ty of food in a small space. All you need is a bale of straw, some fertilizer, and
ing than you ever did. This reference book contains information on when to plant, container gardening, weeding, composting, keeping birds away and much, much more. Written by Barbara W. Ellis. Paperback. $14.95 each.
53435
THE BALL BLUE BOOK GUIDE TO PRESERVING. The most comprehen- sive ‘how-to’ book on food preservation. In- cludes step-by-step in- structions for canning, pickling, freezing and dehydration plus hun- dreds of recipes. Both beginners and experi- enced canners will love this book. Paperback. 128 pages. $9.95 each.
BOOK. Get the an- swers to all of your gardening questions in this little book! With 432 pages of questions and an- swers to the toughest gardening problems – you’ll know more about home garden-
74093 THE VEG- GIE GARDEN- ER’S ANSWER
make attractive orna- mentals. More tolerant to both heat and cold than standard green va-
GLOBE. Artichoke plants produce large, purple heads that are tender and suc- culent. Plants also
PURPLE ITALIAN
01004
rieties. (A) Pkt. (50 seeds) $2.25; 3+ $2.10 each.
53454 MOON SIGN BOOK. This is the only almanac you’ll need this spring! A popular astrological guide since its introduction in 1905. The 2018 edition includes complete tables and instructions on planting and harvesting. Custom- ers come back again and again, year after year, because the guide is accurate and reliable. Paper- back. 312 pages. $8.95 each.
53428 THE NEW SEED START- ERS HANDBOOK. Expert knowledge to make you a successful gardener. An il- lustrated guide on how to start all kinds of seeds – both ed- ible and ornamental – with details on how deep to plant, how to water, light require- ments, non-chemical fertilizers and even seed saving. Writ- ten by veteran gar- dener Nancy Bubel. Paperback. 385 pages. $18.95 each.
74674 THE BACKYARD HOME- STEAD BOOK OF KITCHEN KNOW-HOW. Don’t let that fresh food go to waste – this book provides techniques on proper preparation, cooking, and preserv- ing. From the fields to the table, it covers every- thing from curing meats and making sausage to canning, milling flour, rendering lard & tallow, pickling, making butter, cheese & yogurt, blanching vegetables, making jams & jellies, drying pro- duce, and much more. Includes dozens of simple and delicious recipes. Written by Andrea Chesman. Paperback. 368 pages. $19.95 each.
( PHONE (800) 342-9461 (
ABLES Q See page 28 for state shipping restrictions.
04502PL MILLENNIUM ROOTS. Produces tender, high quality spears with excellent flavor. A predominantly male hybrid developed by the Univer- sity of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. It has quickly be- come a garden and cuisine favorite. Grows well in all soil types, even heavier clay soils. It has good Rust re- sistance and produces outstanding yields. Heavy, 1-year old roots. Zones 3-8. 10 roots $13.95; 20 roots $22.95; 50 roots $54.95; 100 roots $97.50.
01013PL
HYBRID ROOTS. One of the best aspara- gus varieties for the home garden with ex- cellent flavor and qual- ity. This predominantly all-male hybrid is widely adapted, hardy in cold win- ter climates and tolerant to the heat of the south. Does well in all soils, including heavy clay types, and is highly resistant to Rust, Fusarium and other diseases. 10 roots $12.95; 20 roots $21.95; 50 roots $47.95; 100 roots $84.95.
JERSEY KNIGHT
55593 GROW THE BEST ASPARA-
preparing the bed to planting and maintenance. An asparagus bed is a long-term invest- ment that will pay big dividends, so get everything off to a good start by investing
32 page guide. Paperback. $3.95 each.
in this from
GUS. This inexpensive little guide is full of tips for growing asparagus,
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