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How to grow asparagus in Singapore and the tropics

Asparagus is a delicious and healthy vegetable that is relatively easy to grow in Singapore. If you live in a tropical climate, these tips are relevant too. If you are interested in growing asparagus in your garden, read on, I will teach you everything you need to know about growing asparagus.

Asparagus is a member of the Asparagaceae family and is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back year after year. In the tropics, asparagus can take about 7-18 months to mature, depending on which variety you grow, and once mature it can produce for up to 20 years!

You can grow asparagus from seed or from crowns (roots). Overseas, it is common for people to procure crowns that are as old as 3 years old because it cuts the waiting time for asparagus plants to mature. In climates that experience winter, it takes around 3 years for asparagus plants to become productive. In Singapore, however, plants mature in half the time or less so people are more likely to grow it from seed instead.

Asparagus plants are either male or female. Male plants are sometimes preferred over females and more prolific at producing asparagus spears because female plants expend more energy producing berries. These are poisonous and should not be consumed. Female plants also do not live as long as male plants. This is why some people prefer to grow F1 male dominant hybrid cultivars.

growing asparagus singapore — *Asparagus berries*

How long does it take to harvest asparagus?

I used to think that it takes around 2-3 years to grow asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) to maturity in Singapore, but realised that because of our tropical climate it can take as little as 7 months for edible asparagus spears to begin forming. This depends on the variety you are growing.

Horti retails Mary Washington asparagus seeds which takes approximately 18 months till harvest, while Baba sells an F1 (hybrid) cultivar which produces edible spears as soon as 7 months. Once established, the plants can produce spears from 8-20 years.

In cooler climates, it takes longer because of the changing seasons. It goes dormant in winter while its peak growing season begins in spring. Therefore the first harvest can take a few years.

May 22, 2022 by Olivia

City, Country, Guides

How to Grow Bananas: Tips for Beginners

If you are wondering how to grow bananas at home or at a community plot, in-ground or in pots, here a guide to help you get started.

In this blog post, I will discuss the basics of banana cultivation and provide tips for beginners who want to start growing their own bananas.

First, some fun trivia about bananas!

Did you know there are more than 1000 banana varieties in the world? This includes edible and ornamental plants which come in different shapes and sizes and in colours other than yellow.

For instance, there is Musa ornata ‘Royal Purple‘, an ornamental variety, or the edible Blue Java banana, also known as ice cream banana or Musa acuminata × balbisiana.

One popular variety that is an absolute showstopper is the variegated banana Musa × paradisiaca ‘Ae Ae’ (below). It’s young fruit features green and white stripes, and matures into yellow and white stripes when ready for consumption.

variegated banana musa x paradisiaca Ae Ae — *Ripe variegated banana Musa × paradisiaca ‘Ae Ae’*. photo: Any Lane

Another beautiful banana to grow is the Musa ‘Thousand Fingers’ which, as you may have guessed, has up to a thousand fruits.

All banana plants have only one peduncle of bananas with the exception of Musa ‘Double Mahoi’, a dwarf Cavendish type which has two heads of fruit.

There have been sightings of banana plants with more than two banana flowers, but it is considered a rare event.

Although it resembles the form of a tree, did you know banana plants are not true trees? Nor is it a palm. Instead, it is classified as a herbaceous plant as it does not have woody tissue.

Bananas in Southeast Asia

In Southeast Asia, where bananas are said to have been domesticated around 7000 years ago, we are spoilt for choice.

While the Cavendish is an internationally renown variety originally cultivated in England to much commercial success, many Southeast Asians favour local varieties like Pisang Raja Udang (which is red), Pisang Raja, Pisang Emas, Pisang Lemak Manis and many others. These can be prepared in different ways, such as deep fried, simmered in coconut milk or even curry.

Read on to find out how to grow bananas!

March 27, 2022 by Olivia

City, Guides

Where to buy plant stands and plant racks in Singapore

As we fill our homes, porches and gardens with plants and find creative ways to squeeze as many of them as possible in every nook and cranny, there is a real need to optimise our vertical space. There are benefits to this. Besides organising our plants, we are adjusting the microclimate and adding visual interest by creating depth. One way we can use space more efficiently is by using plant racks and plant stands. So where can you buy plant stands and plant racks in Singapore?

There are a few materials to choose from, these include rattan, wood, plastic and metal. Wood and rattan give a sense of warmth and visual texture to its surroundings and add a tropical feel to the home. Metal lends a more elegant and sleek feel. Depending on the finish you choose – be it brass, copper, gold, iron, steel or others – these metals have its own aesthetic effect. For example, gold is luxurious, while copper exudes warmth.When elevating plants, you can get creative by using stools, benches, low tables, shelves, shoe racks and even bar carts.

There are some points of consideration before you decide to go out and get one. This depends on the look you are after, where you are planning to put it and how practical you are. Are you putting it indoors or outdoors? Will your plant pots use saucers? Does your property have termites? Will it be on the grass or on a tiled area? These materials will experience wear and tear differently and it’s important to make decisions you will not regret later.

buy plant stands in Singapore — *Kazi Silver Planter by House Doctor, available at Journey East.*

June 25, 2020 by Olivia

City, Guides

Fast Growing Vegetables & Edible Plants in Singapore

The uncertainty that came with the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns with food security in Singapore and overseas. For some, this piqued consumer interest in growing their own vegetables and edible plants at home. However this all takes time and it helps to know which vegetables you can grow and harvest in a short time span, and how long you have to wait before you can harvest fruiting vegetables. In this post I will cover the types of food you can grow at home, including fast growing edible plants in Singapore, Malaysia and other tropical regions of South East Asia and the world.

Community resilience is fundamental to surviving crisis on a large scale, and food growing is one way to build resilience. However, another way to do so is to share crops and skills. One important thing to note is that you don’t have to grow everything on your own, instead we can all trade excess produce so that we can diversify our diets without stressing ourselves that we need to be self sufficient.

We can also preserve food through fermentation and freezing meals to extend the shelf life of our produce. If we really want to stretch the value of our food and resources, we can make cleaning enzymes and/or compost using our food scraps.

Here are my recommendations of fast growing vegetables you can start growing today in Singapore. For a guide on how to start growing vegetables, please see here.

Growing Microgreens & Sprouts

Microgreens and sprouts take a matter of days to grow and requires minimal effort. While this isn’t really going to fill your belly, it is nutrient-dense and can easily complement your dishes at home.

Note that alfalfa and mung beans (bean sprouts) are quick to sprout and mature in a sprouter, and should be ready by the 6th day, but sunflower seeds will take longer and require soil planting and will mature just after 10 days. Research the growing time of microgreens and sprouts before you get hold of seeds.

This video by Jeremy Coleby-Williams gives a very thorough walk-through on the materials you need to create your own sprouter, choosing seeds and growing. Another fuss-free method of sprouting involves using a colander and kitchen towel, and a bowl to catch water run-off ????

May 7, 2020 by Olivia

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