Asparagus Varieties and Cultivars
- Apollo Asparagus. It’s no secret that asparagus is by far the most reliable plant to announce the end of winter and the...
- Mary Washington Asparagus. The name is a dead giveaway to the origins of this cultivar. It has been around for more than...
- Atlas Asparagus. Another green asparagus type that has a high yield and better resistance to...
What is the best way to grow asparagus?
How to grow asparagus from seeds
- Sow seeds indoors. — Start by sowing single seeds in small pots or seed trays. ...
- Keep spouts at low temperatures. — When you start seeing sprouts growing through, they no longer need a warm temperature. ...
- Plant seedlings outside. ...
- Weed out the female plants. ...
- Transplant male flowers after one year. ...
How to successfully grow asparagus in your garden?
How to Plant and Grow Asparagus
- After all danger of frost in your area has passed, dig a trench 6 to 8 inches wide. ...
- Make the trench as long as you want, but if you’re digging more than one, keep them 4 to 5 feet apart.
- Put the asparagus crowns in the trenches, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart and spreading out the roots. ...
What plants grow well with asparagus?
What to Plant Near Asparagus
- Companion Planting for Asparagus. Companion planting is the practice of deliberately selecting plants to grow alongside each other in order to benefit one or both plants.
- Petunias and Asparagus. ...
- Vegetable and Herb Companions for Asparagus. ...
- Asparagus and Comfrey. ...
- Plants to Avoid Growing With Asparagus. ...
What is the best variety of asparagus?
Types Of Asparagus – Learn About Different Varieties Of Asparagus
- Growing Male Types of Asparagus. Asparagus is either male or female. ...
- Varieties of Asparagus. ‘Jersey’ Series – This all-male series of hybrid asparagus varieties include ‘Jersey Giant,’ a hardy plant that performs well in chilly climates.
- Heirloom Asparagus Types. ...
What is the best tasting asparagus?
1. Precoce D'Argenteuil: Popular in Europe, this pale green heirloom variety has rosy pink tips. The plant itself can grow up to three feet tall. Sweet to the taste, these asparagus are tender when cooked.
Which is better male or female asparagus?
Yield. Since males do not have to expend valuable energy on berry production, they are often more long-lived, and they are able to put more of their energy into spear production. Among commercial growers of this crop, they are considered more profitable than females because of their higher yields.
Can I plant different types of asparagus together?
Yes, they can be planted in the same bed, just as you can plant different types of tomatoes or squash in the same bed (providing it is of sufficient size). There are not really any issues with cross pollination resulting in hybrids since you are not harvesting or growing new plants from seed.
How much asparagus should I plant for a family of 4?
Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don't produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four.
What can you not plant next to asparagus?
The most important thing to remember is to keep asparagus out of proximity with any alliums. Members of the genus include onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, chives, garlic chives, wild onions, ramps — any plant in the allium category will stunt asparagus growth.
Should I let my asparagus flower?
Ferning out in asparagus is actually a good thing, as it indicates that photosynthesis is being promoted, therefore, nutrition production and absorption increases. During the ferning process, the majority of the energy produced is stored in the roots to facilitate new growth the next year.
How many asparagus plants should I plant?
But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It's not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years. It does best in well-drained soils that are in full sun.
What happens if you plant asparagus too close together?
Most asparagus planting instructions are for planting rows, but they indicate that spacing too-close can decrease yields and increase the risk of fungal disease. Four per square foot seems like too many.
How do you prepare an asparagus bed for planting?
1:304:28How to plant and grow Asparagus with Thompson & Morgan. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTry to make sure that the top of the ridge sits. At about soil. Level asparagus plants will needMoreTry to make sure that the top of the ridge sits. At about soil. Level asparagus plants will need plenty of space in the coming years so lay them out along the ridge at a distance of 18 inches apart.
Does asparagus come back every year?
Asparagus is one of the first plants that greets us in springtime! It's a perennial, which means that once it gets established, the tender spears will return year after year. In addition, its ferny foliage makes an excellent ornamental.
What size raised bed for asparagus?
Start with well-draining soil that's about 8 inches below the rim of your bed. That means your raised bed needs to be at least 12 inches high to give the roots room to grow, though I recommend building a bed up to 24 inches high for easy harvesting.
When should you plant asparagus?
Plant asparagus in spring or fall in a sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Asparagus takes a few seasons to mature but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 years, so choose a planting location that will go undisturbed for a long time.
Should I get rid of female asparagus?
The female asparagus stalk will become fern-like and develop berries (but don't eat them because they are toxic to humans). Over time these female plants should be removed.
How do you encourage asparagus to grow?
Asparagus patches should receive at least one inch of water every week. If they have not received an inch of rain in the last week, soak the soil with water. Asparagus growing in sandy soil should be watered more than once per week in the absence of rain, and heavy clay soils may not need to be watered as often.
How many asparagus plants do I need?
But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It's not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years. It does best in well-drained soils that are in full sun.
Does asparagus spread on its own?
Yes, asparagus will spread as it grows. Asparagus roots can spread out up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground. Asparagus ferns (mature spears with foliage) can spread out 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. An older, more mature asparagus plant will send up more spears from its larger crown and energy reserves.
What Type Should I Grow?
- When growing asparagus, you’ll have a choice between planting seeds and crowns. Most people tend to plant one-year-old plants, which are referred to as roots or crowns, and for a good reason. While asparagus seeds will be much less expensive than crowns, it will take much longer to get your plants established (one year to develop the root system, a...
Where and How to Plant
- Once you’ve decided what type of asparagus to grow, you’ll need to decide how much to plant. Obviously, the amount of room you have in your landscape for planting will play a role in this. But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It’s not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last f…
Weed Control and Fertilizing
- Weed control is very important when establishing asparagus as well as to develop a good crop. Many people believe that adding salt to asparagus plantings is a good way to go about doing this. While asparagus can tolerate higher salt levels than many plants, it’s not a good idea to be adding salt to the soil. Excess salt will destroy the soil structure and inhibit water penetration into the s…
Harvesting
- Now that you’ve gotten your asparagus planted and cared for, when can you begin harvesting? This is where patience comes into play: harvesting too much too early will lead to weak plants and lower yields down the road. 1. The year you plant your asparagus crowns, you should not harvest any asparagus. Let the spears grow and develop “ferns” (leaves). 2. The year after planting (seco…