Did you know two vegetables need to be started in January each year? If you wait, it will be too late to grow them this season. Join me as I finally remember to start both of them on time this year.
Start Now? No. How about now? No. Now? Yes!
Every January, two things happen simultaneously in my house.
I get over-excited and start planting seedlings that I know will be ready to go outdoors long before the weather is ready for them to go outdoors. I suppose this wouldn’t be such a bad thing, except I only have room for them when they’re tiny and still in seedling trays. As they grow and get potted up, they quickly outgrow the space I have.
And the other thing is I forget to start two vegetables that actually do need that 2-3 month jump on the growing season.
Artichokes and asparagus.
Both vegetables need to be started at least 2-3 months before they will be planted outside. If you wait too long, you’ll likely need to wait until next season to get them started. Now, I know what you’re thinking.
“But, Tracey, aren’t they both perennials? Don’t you plant them once, and that’s it?
Yes, my friend, yes, they are. But that only works if you actually remember to get them started. And it’s important to note that both have very different life cycles. So, if you plan on growing either from seed, you need to get them started now.
Growing Asparagus from Seed
Now, I know most folks prefer to grow asparagus from crowns, but you can start them from seed. Doing so means you’ll need to be patient, though. Asparagus takes between three to four years to grow from seed to harvest.
If you grow from crowns, you typically need to wait three years before harvesting. When growing from seed you will need to give them an extra year before you start making braised asparagus with hollandaise sauce.
That being said, the upside to growing from seed is you get a much better selection of different asparagus varieties to choose from. You also get to monitor their growth from the start.
Having successfully started asparagus from seed in the past, I can tell you it’s worth it. Teensy, weensy baby asparagus poking up from your seedling trays is nothing short of adorable.
Oh, come on, I don’t care how tough you are; baby veggies are cute, especially asparagus.
Here’s what you need to know about starting asparagus from seed:
Seed depth: Plant asparagus seeds ½” deep. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours before you plant them is helpful.
Heat: Asparagus needs very warm soil to germinate, between 70-85 degrees. I highly recommend using these germination heating mats. I use them every year with terrific results.
Water: Asparagus seedlings can dry out very quickly. Keep the soil moist but not saturated at all times.
Germination: Be patient! Asparagus takes a long time to germinate, anywhere from 3-6 weeks, hence why they need such a big head start.
Plant outside after all danger of frost has passed. And, again, be patient. A happy, well-tended asparagus bed truly is a treasure.
On to Artichokes!
Growing Artichokes from Seed
Before we jump in, there is one caveat you need to consider when growing artichokes. While they are a perennial, to grow them as such, you need to be in zone 7-11. In these areas, they are one of many set-it-and-forget-it perennial crops.
The rest of us can grow them as an annual, starting them very early and harvesting them in the fall.
You can also grow them in pots and bring them indoors for the winter if you wish to grow them as a perennial. But it’s a bit fussy when you can plant them anew each January. If you remember to, that is. Ahem, yeah, moving on!
Like asparagus, artichokes need to be started at least 2-3 months before you intend to plant them outside.
Here’s what you need to know about starting artichokes from seed:
Seed depth: plant artichoke seeds ¼” to ½” deep. Soak the seeds for about five minutes to get a jumpstart on germination. (It will help break their dormancy.)
Heat: Again, artichokes prefer warmer soil temps but will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 60. If you choose not to use a seedling heat mat, germination may take a little longer.
Water: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to avoid damping off and prevent seedlings from drying out.
Germination: Artichoke seeds typically germinate in 10-21 days.
Plant outside once all danger of frost has passed.
I know neither of these are your standard garden veggie, but they both are worth the extra effort.
If you’ve always dreamed of an asparagus bed but hate the thought of waiting 3-4 years, I would give the same advice I give myself about making mead: that time is going to pass regardless of whether you start a batch of mead now or not. The difference is that in one year, you could be sipping mead or wish you were sipping mead. Or eating asparagus. In 3-4 years, as it were. You know what I mean.
Just get started; that time is going to pass anyway.
And as for artichokes, if you love eating them, you’re in for a real treat when you eat a freshly harvested artichoke from your garden rather than the ones that show up in the grocery store.
Happy gardening, my friends.
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