Highlights: April 2008 Show

Farm Raised Asparagus
Guests: Karen and John Weaver
K & J Farms
Diggs, VA 23045
804.725.5366

K & J Farms has been producing asparagus in Mathews County since the early 1990’s, with 8 acres currently in production.

K & J Farms sells directly to restaurants and to retail customers in road side stands and farmers markets. The local harvest season is approximately 6 weeks, usually beginning in early April.

Once the spears have been harvested they are washed in cold water to remove any sand and to quickly cool the spears for optimum quality. The fresh spears are delivered daily to restaurant customers.

Asparagus roots are planted approximately 12 inches deep and allowed to slowly grow to the surface developing a healthy deep root system. Most growers do not harvest spears for two or three years to allow the roots time to get strong.

Asparagus roots can produce for 12 years or more when planted in well drained sandy loam soil.

The spears are low in calories and high in vitamin A, B, C and folic acid.

Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Guest: Peggy Singlemann, Manager of Horticulture, Maymont Foundation
1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220
804.358.7166
www.maymont.org

By utilizing flowering woody ornamentals, you can add color to early spring gardens.
 
There are a number of native flowering trees and shrubs, including dogwood, redbud, fothergilla, serviceberry and silverbell.
 
These native plants are quite adaptable and are well-suited as understory plantings or in full sun.
 
Native flowering plants can be seen throughout the Maymont property, but are showcased in the landscape around the Nature Center.