The early asparagus occurring in Western Australia has highlighted the suitability of Australia’s dry western deserts to growing the crop, which can thrive on water that is salty. The Gascoyne region, which is also known for Carnarvon bananas, is ripe for expansion, according to grower Chris Boston. “Where I am now the farm is 20 acres of established asparagus plantings. I’m also going to put in five more, so that’s 36,000 seedlings I’m planting in September,” he said. “There’s an enormous potential here to grow a lot more, for supermarkets. Right now they import from Peru or Mexico. ”
From November until late June asparagus grows ‘non stop’ on Mr Boston’s property, he says. The situation is less predictable in the Southern region of WA, where Phillip Marshall has already picked 70kg of asparagus three weeks early on his Torbay property. “It’s so cold now that the asparagus could go back again. It’s only to do with the weather, and we just have to wait for the weather to warm up if it decides to set early,” said Sheelagh Marshall, Phillip’s wife.
Government regulations do not allow additional water for larger acreage, and place strict limits on the salinity of the water, according to Mr Boston. These are the major obstacles that growers would have to overcome to take advantage of the lucrative opportunity. “Government regulations keep everybody on the same water, so we get the same as what the banana growers need, low salinity. It’s not what I want, but that’s how it is right now,” says Mr Boston.
Supplying the big supermarkets is not on the cards for 80-year-old Mr Boston, who is happy dealing with one large agent in Perth, where his asparagus commands a premium price. “It’s good to have an agent who markets so well not to have to worry,” he says. “With the supermarkets you have to do exactly what they want you to do, and you have to guarantee supply.” The Bostons were the first to grow asparagus in the Gascoyne area, and have had asparagus growing on their present property since 2011.
For more information:
Chris and Paquita Boston
E-mail: boston@wn.com.au