Asparagus has so much going for it , yet it ’s sometimes overlooked by gardener . Do n’t get that be you ! Asparagus is very dauntless in our northern zones and , even more importantly , it ’s a perennial vegetable . Who does n’t love a veg that keeps come in back every year ? Those Asparagus officinales crowns that you plant today could produce for a decade or more — how ’s that for a phenomenal return on your investment ?
How to plant asparagus
Give your asparagus a strong start by embed it in the proper place . Sun is a must , and well - drained grease is another key element . A sandy loam work well .
Beyond the parameters of sunshine and soil , it ’s significant to call up that , unlike couch in a tomato plant that will only be in the ground for a few months , planting asparagus is a age - foresighted commitment , so the localization you choose is of import . turn over all the activity in your other garden beds — you’ll be rotating other plant each twelvemonth , after all — and also moot the mature superlative of asparagus . Will it shadow the other plants you contrive to have around it ? Is it a locating that ’s ideal for the long haulage ?
While you’re able to rise asparagus from seed , it ’s much more common to plant one - yr - one-time asparagus crowns . This give way you a jump-start of an entire year , which is especially nice when you consider that asparagus takes about three years from seed to harvest .
you may constitute asparagus crown as soon as the dirt can be work in the spring . Asparagus is usually planted in wide trenches , 6 to 8 inches cryptic and at least 12 inches wide-eyed . Fill the bottom of the trench with a duet of in of loose soil and tot up the asparagus crownwork with the roots pointing down . you could make mounds of compost in the trench about 18 column inch aside and clothe the crowns over each knoll , or you could just place the crowns in the deep without produce hillock .
Cover the crownwork with 2 to 3 inches of grunge . Over the next few week , go on to now and then backfill with the loose soil as the asparagus grows until the trench is eventually fill in . ( Some gardeners choose to skim the gradual backfilling and instead satisfy the trench at the time of planting . )
gage can be knotty for asparagus , especially for newly plant crowns . Be diligent about weed , but also be gentle — you do n’t want to weed vigorously around your asparagus while it ’s still getting prove . Mulch can be a helpful elbow room to check mourning band growth .
Asparagus varieties
As far as varieties , look for both green and purplish asparagus . Millennium is a popular green hybrid variety , and Purple Passion and Mary Washington are tried - and - rightful open - pollinated varieties . Thewell - known Jersey series(including Jersey Giant , Jersey Knight , and Jersey Supreme ) was discontinue as of 2021 and only a few retailers still have these varieties usable .
Harvesting asparagus
Now for the delicious part ! Once the asparagus is plant in your garden ( about two year after planting crest ) , you’re able to lead off to harvest the spears . waitress until thespears are about 8 inches tall , then click them off near the soil argument by hand ( it ’s better to snap the spear than rationalise them ) . stay to harvest regularly and stave off leave any shaft to grow too marvelous .
For fledged , established Asparagus officinales industrial plant , you may figure on continuing to reap all throughout the month of June . It ’s then recommend that you stop harvesting and allow the plants to produce their fern - like foliage ( this foliation help ensure that the plants lay in up enough vigor for next arise season ) .
Asparagus is not for the impatient , but once it ’s established in your garden you ’ll enjoy it for years to come — it ’s emphatically worth the wait !
Samantha Johnsonis the author of several books , includingVegetable Gardening for Beginners : con to Grow Anything No Matter Where You Live(New Shoe Press , 2023).She save frequently about pet , horticulture and farm life . Visit her online portfolio athttps://authory.com/SamanthaJohnson .
Learn more inNorthern Gardener®magazine…
Four seasonal issues full of growing tips and featured gardens — written and edited by local northerly gardening pros just for you .
