Asparagus Gardening

Asparagus grows wild over a large part of the United States. Establishing an asparagus bed requires considerable work, your efforts will be rewarded.

A well-planned bed can last 20 years. For this reason, asparagus should be planted where it will not be troubled by other garden cultivation. Asparagus is one of the first vegetables ready to harvest in the spring. Asparagus plants are naturally male or female. The female plants bear seeds sprouting new seedlings causing overcrowding. Male plants produce thicker, larger spears because no energy is put into seeds.

Choose a variety that is appealing to your taste buds and geographic location and climate. If you are starting a new bed, you may never get to choose a variety again if your bed produces that long.

Planting

Seeds are sown in a production bed for one year. The young plants have compact buds in the center (crown), with many hanging roots.

Place the plants in a trench 12 to 18 inches wide and a full six inches deep. The crowns should be spaced 9 to 12 inches apart. Spread the roots out evenly, with the crown bud side up, in an upright, centered position, slightly higher than the roots.

Cover the crown with two inches of soil. Gradually fill the remaining portion of the trench during the first summer as the plants grow taller. They shift ascending to the soil as the plants mature.

As asparagus plants grow, they produce a mat of roots dispersing horizontally. As the plants mature the stems become larger in diameter. The female plants develop more spears or stems than the male plants, but less in diameter.

With normal open-pollinated varieties, plant male and female plants in an equal ration. The first year, small red berries drop from the female plants, which become perennial weeds!

Care

Asparagus should be fertilized the same as the rest of the garden for the first three years. Starting in the fourth year, apply the same amount of fertilizer but in June or July (immediately after the last harvest). Weeds and grasses are the worse problems with asparagus decreasing the crop and quality.

There are two threats to the Asparagus: The first is Asparagus Beetles. These are common in residential/home gardens. Pick off by hand as seen. The second threat is Asparagus Rust which can be a problem in the moist climates.

Harvesting

Thereafter, the spears may be harvested from their first appearance for 8-10 weeks.

To harvest, simply use a knife to cut the spears at the base (into the soil if needed) at 5 to 8 inches in length. Remove the tough base from the tender stalk. Take care because cutting may damage some spear tips not yet emerged.

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