You don’t have to peel green asparagus, and many cooks actually prefer not to. The peel on green asparagus is thin, tender, and completely edible, especially when the spears are fresh and young. So if you’ve been standing in your kitchen wondering whether you have to peel green asparagus before cooking, the short … Read more
You don’t have to boil asparagus before grilling, and in fact, many chefs and home cooks skip this step entirely for perfectly tender, flavorful results. While boiling asparagus before grilling is a common technique, it’s not a mandatory step for great grilled asparagus. The truth is, whether you boil asparagus before grilling depends … Read more
You don’t have to peel asparagus, and in most cases, you actually shouldn’t. The tender tips and spears are perfectly edible with the peel left on, especially when the asparagus is fresh and young. But here’s the thing—there are a few situations where peeling asparagus makes sense, and understanding when to peel and … Read more
You do not have to boil asparagus before frying it. In fact, skipping the boiling step is often the best way to get that crisp-tender texture with a nice char on the outside. If you have been wondering whether you have to boil asparagus before frying, the short answer is no. You … Read more
You don’t have to blanch asparagus before pickling, but many experienced picklers choose to do it for better texture and color. If you’ve been wondering whether blanching asparagus before pickling is a necessary step, the short answer is no, it’s optional. That said, blanching asparagus before pickling does offer some real benefits that … Read more
You can fertilize asparagus in the fall, but it depends on what kind of fertilizer you’re using and why you’re applying it. If you’ve been wondering whether you should fertilize asparagus in the fall, the short answer is yes, a light fall feeding can help prepare your asparagus crowns for the next growing season. … Read more
You don’t have to blanch asparagus, but doing so can improve its color, texture, and overall appeal in certain dishes. If you’ve been wondering whether blanching asparagus is a necessary step, the short answer is no—it’s optional. However, blanching asparagus does offer some real benefits that might make you want to keep it … Read more
Yes, you should cut the top off asparagus, but only the tough, woody part at the very bottom of the stalk. Many people ask, “do you cut the top off asparagus?” because they confuse the tip with the base. The tender, flavorful tip is the best part of the asparagus spear, so you … Read more
You can cut asparagus ferns down in the fall, and for many gardeners, it’s actually the best time to do it. When you cut asparagus ferns down in the fall, you’re helping your plants get ready for a fresh start in spring. That said, the timing and method matter more than most people … Read more
You should cut back asparagus ferns in the winter, but only once the foliage has completely died back and turned brown. This simple task helps your asparagus bed stay healthy and productive for years to come. If you’ve been wondering whether you should cut back asparagus ferns in the winter, the answer depends … Read more