White Asparagus Update!
I thought it would be fun to show you the final results of the asparagus experiment down in the vegetable
patch. You may remember that the gardeners were curious to see if they could force new asparagus shoots to remain white. Plants produce chlorophyll when exposed to sunlight, which is how they get their color. White asparagus traditionally grow within mounds of soil, receiving no light at all. Jodi, Erika, and George placed some lovely earthenware, antique cloches filled with soil around several plants and hoped for the best. Alas, the first try wasn’t successful because they forgot about the cloches – busy with other gardening, I presume – and the stalks grew right out of the mounded soil sporting a lovely shade of green. Jodi was determined and tried again – this time with the results she was hoping for. I suppose next year, after a bit more research, we could actually mound an entire row of asparagus and grow them white in the traditional manner. Maybe not a bad idea since I do love the sweet flavor of white asparagus! 
Asparagus Recipes from Martha Stewart Living
Asparagus: Power Foods from Whole Living.com
Asparagus Gruyere Tart Recipe from Everyday Food
Everything Asparagus at Martha Stewart.com
Thank you for the update! It is not hard to see the white asparagus stalks against the dark soil - definitely not something you see too often
Posted by: Susie | May 13th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Very cool! You should take a look at the Jamie Oliver at Home series - he grows white asparagus with his gardener as well. Same technique as Jodi.
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | May 13th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Nice... Did she then just cover up the top of the cloches so that they didn't grow out the top. I have never eaten white asparagus just green.
Trina
Posted by: Trina | May 13th, 2008 at 3:29 am
While I've never eaten a white asparagus, I like the trait of their sweetness. Jodi is determined that she can grow them, and I'm glad she succeeded the second try. Next year, watch out. Jodi, Erika, and George will not fail ever again. Nan
Posted by: Nan Ashby | May 13th, 2008 at 3:54 am
25 years ago I lived in Germany for 5 months. That was the 1st time I had ever seen or tried white asparagus- it was delicious!
Posted by: Debbie | May 13th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the update on the asparagus experiment. These look so good. I imagine they will be quite tasty.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 13th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Fascinating. Mother Nature never fails to amaze me. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lori Stewart | May 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hello Martha. I am a potter and I love the idea of growing asparagus inside the antique cloches. I am always looking for new things to make, and cloches might be an idea worth revisiting. What are the other uses of these lovely pieces of pottery?
Posted by: Noelle | May 13th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I had never thought about why white asparagus is white... I always love learning where things come from. Thank you for the pictures.
Posted by: Snakecharmer | May 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hi Martha, Thank goodness Jodi was successful with her 2nd try! The white spears look beautiful and I'll bet they are delicious. I can envision a complete row of gorgeous white asparagas next year in your beautiful vegetable garden. Thanks for the update. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Love your blog -- and Alexis's whatever, too. Thank you both for sharing so much.
Sorry if this has been asked before, but what camera do you use? The color and detail are great!
Posted by: Sara | May 13th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
HELLO MARTHA'
I JUST LOVE READING ALL YOUR DAILY FACTS.IT IS ALWAYS SO INTERESTING.I TOO LOVE TO GARDEN. I HAVE GROWN MOST OF THE ITEMS IN MY YARD FROM THINGS THAT WERE READY TO BE DISCARDED.I DONT LIKE THROWING ANY KIND OF PLANT OR CUTTING AWAY .I ALWAS SAY YOU GROW OR YOU GO.SO FAR ALL THE THINGS IN MY GARDEN HAVE GROWN PRETTY WELL.MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY SAY IT LOOKS LIKE THE RAINFOREST.BUT I JUST LOVE
ALL YOUR DAILY FACTS ABOUT GARDENING.THEY ARE SO INTERESTING. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK .
Posted by: INGRID | May 13th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Martha:
Thanks for the update on the white asparagus experiment. There's nothing quite like a creative botanical challenge nor the sweet taste of white asparagus.
It's great the way you and Laura stay so on top of things and are so responsive to the requests we make in our posts.
In reference to your Mother's Day post: please ask Alexis to come on the show and demonstrate her homemade bagel recipe!
Thanks again.
Joseph
Posted by: JBrennan | May 14th, 2008 at 12:01 am
1- YOU ARE ALWAYS NUMBER ONE!
2- SHEEP MEADOW
3- CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND RIBBONS
4- COLORFUL AND FANCIFUL (purple with butterflies)
5- ATTRACTIVE SMALL HAT
Posted by: Stephane | May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 am
The hats were great!! Too bad we don't wear them as we once did and take it more seriously. The hats in the 50's and 60's were just awesome. The white asparagus was very interesting also. I grew green asaragus when I lived in IL. Thanks for sharing all the great photos Marthe-You are the greatest!!!!
Posted by: April | May 14th, 2008 at 7:15 pm