Garden and Yard
(Page 2 of 2)
October/November 2004
By Doreen G. Howard
According to Washington State University’s (WSU) Extension Service, Vancouver, Wash., wasabi culture requires heavy shade; shallow, cold running water and a cool, yet temperate climate — like shaded, wet banks of mountain streams in Japan, where wild wasabi grows.
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In the United States, the traditional Japanese method of water cultivation (see photo above) may be intimidating to many would-be growers. The WSU Extension staff maintains that the ideal commercial site would be a spring-fed area or diverted stream, lined with gravel and shaded by trees, because a constant supply of cool running water and a loose gravel bed are essential for production.
But wasabi cultivation doesn’t have to be this structured. Chris Jones of The Frogfarm in Seattle has researched wasabi growing techniques in Taiwan, China and Japan, and he grows the plant on his farm. “There is a mystical thing about growing it, the water and all, but it’s only a plant,” Jones says. “Frankly, I think water culture is time-intensive and expensive.”
Jones uses another method of growing wasabi, one the average gardener can duplicate with a little effort. He grows the plants in compost under shade cloth. To maintain high humidity, the plant’s foliage is sprayed with water once or twice a day.
Rose Marie Nichols McGee of Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany, Ore., has another easy idea. She says the simplest growing technique for wasabi utilizes small wading pools at least 15 inches deep. Punch a few holes in the bottom and line the pool with black plastic that also has several small holes for gentle; this prevents the water from becoming stagnant. Fill the pools with rich soil and plant.
Jones says wasabi can be grown outdoors in any part of the country where winter temperatures don’t fall regularly below 20 degrees. In colder areas, plants can be mulched, hoop-housed or brought indoors. The Frogfarm Web site (www.wasabifarm.com) has complete instructions on how to grow wasabi. For information about ordering wasabi plants.
Wasabi Plant Sources
The Frogfarm
3408 N.E. 193rd St. Seattle, WA 98155 (206) 361-1981
www.wasabifarm.com
Plants are $7.50 each, plus $5 shipping for every three plants.
Nichols Garden Nursery
1190 Old Salem Road N.E. Albany, OR 97321 (800) 422-3985
www.nicholsgardennursery.com
Plants are priced and shipped in the spring.
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