Growing Asparagus

 Asparagus crowns before planting.

I will post a photo of them growing

as soon as they start their spring growth.

Over the past few years I have been adding to my vegetable and fruit gardens to get more variety and include some perennial selections. Last year, one of the many additions was an asparagus bed. It will take a couple of years before I can harvest a good-sized crop, but hopefully worth the effort -- I can hardly wait to see what happens in the next couple of months.

What do you need to plant a bed of asparagus? First, you need an asparagus-dedicated area that must be completely free of weeds and grasses because domestic varieties of asparagus will not tolerate competition for space and nutrients. Second, you should provide deep rich soil with plenty of organic matter such as compost. Nice deep raised beds are perfect for asparagus. Third, you should purchase good quality Asparagus crowns such as Jersey Knight hybrid, Jersey Supreme Hybrid, or other all-male asparagus varieties.

Modern all-male varieties of asparagus do not develop seeds and are able to put all of their energy into developing the spears instead. These newer varieties are also more resistant to diseases such as fusarium and asparagus rust. Early spring is the time to get asparagus crowns. I have noticed that many are available online, but some of the specialty varieties tend to sell out quickly.

To plant asparagus crowns, dig a trench about a foot deep and wide. At the bottom of the trench, shovel in some compost and all-purpose organic fertilizer. Adding a little rock phosphate is also a good idea since it promotes strong root growth. Next, place little mounds of soil in the trench about 18 inches apart (remember bare-root planting). Set an asparagus crown over the top of each mound and spread the roots out around the mound. The top of the crown should be about six inched below the soil surface. Back fill the trench with soil until the tops of the crowns a just covered and water it well. As the shoots begin to appear, add more soil until the trenches are filled back level with the soil surface. The crown should eventually end up approximately six inches below the soil surface.

To help with keeping weeds from getting into the bed, add a good layer of mulch such as shredded leaves or straw. If you do start getting weeds, carefully remove them making sure to not disturb the asparagus roots.

Asparagus was originally grown in swamps and other wet areas, so keeping the soil moist is important for good production. Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation is perfect for keeping the root zone moist. Consistent watering is especially important for the first three to five years.

To get the best production from your asparagus bed, only pick a few of the spears from each plant the first year, letting the rest grow into four- to six-foot high ferny foliage. The following year, harvest spears for about a three-week period and let the rest become foliage. After about three years, spears can be harvested for about a four to six week time frame and then let the rest grow. The asparagus plants need some of the ferny growth in order to develop the strong roots and energy reserves they need to produce a nice-sized crop the following season.

Spears should be harvested when they are five-to seven-inches high and before the tips begin to loosen. Once the tips loosen, the spears will become tough and fibrous. To harvest spears, cut or snap them off just above the soil level. Leaving a stub causes no harm to the plant. Once the bed is well established, harvesting can continue until the bed yields only skinny spears that are less than a half-inch in diameter.

When fall arrives, the fronds will begin turning yellow. At this time, it's generally best to cut the fronds about an inch above ground level and dispose of them to the trash or compost pile. This helps keep pests, such as the asparagus beetle, from over-wintering. It will also make sure your bed is neat and ready to go next spring.