{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "record_type": "plant",
  "slug": "asparagus",
  "common_name": "Asparagus",
  "botanical_name": "Asparagus officinalis",
  "family": "Asparagaceae",
  "summary": "Asparagus is a long-lived perennial spear crop that needs a permanent sunny site, free drainage, careful weed control and several unharvested seasons to establish.",
  "categories": [
    "stem vegetable",
    "perennial crop",
    "cool-season crop"
  ],
  "growth_habits": [
    "crown-forming",
    "tall fern"
  ],
  "lifecycle": "Herbaceous perennial",
  "difficulty": "Moderate",
  "requirements": {
    "light": {
      "minimum_direct_sun_hours": 6,
      "preferred_direct_sun_hours": 8
    },
    "soil_ph": {
      "minimum": 6.5,
      "maximum": 7.0
    },
    "container": {
      "minimum_volume_litres": 30,
      "minimum_diameter_cm": 30,
      "plants_per_container": 1
    },
    "spacing": {
      "minimum_cm": 30,
      "maximum_cm": 45
    },
    "planting_out": {
      "minimum_reliable_temperature_c": 5,
      "frost_tolerant": true,
      "label": "Plant crowns",
      "note": "Plant dormant crowns into workable, freely draining soil"
    },
    "harvest": {
      "typical_uk_months": [
        "April",
        "June"
      ]
    }
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "rhs-growing-asparagus",
      "publisher": "Royal Horticultural Society",
      "url": "https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/asparagus/grow-your-own",
      "supports": [
        "site",
        "crowns",
        "spacing",
        "containers",
        "establishment",
        "harvest"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "umn-growing-asparagus",
      "publisher": "University of Minnesota Extension",
      "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-asparagus",
      "supports": [
        "perennial_habit",
        "soil_ph",
        "watering",
        "weed_control",
        "harvest"
      ]
    }
  ]
}