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Learn How the Pros Grow Asparagus


 

Food for wealth

 

Food for wealth

How to Grow Asparagus

 

Learn How the Pros Grow Asparagus

 

When selecting an environment for Asparagus, find an area that will not be bothered so the asparagus plants can grow unimpeded.

Asparagus is a more permanent planting, with plants bearing well for over 12-15 years.

Asparagus thrives in a sunny location with slightly acidic soil, a pH of 6.0-7.0.

It is common for soils in the northeast to be more acidic, therefore soil amendments may need to be applied.

Asparagus like well-drained moist soil.

Growing Asparagus

Prepare the garden bed by cultivating and removing weeds and sod. Organic Fertilizer, leaf mold, compost, and other suitable material can be mixed with the soil. The row should be elevated a few inches if water is likely to gather in the area.

Since Asparagus can be grown from seed, purchasing one year crowns is much easier. Hybrids and male varieties are the best bearers. When selecting crowns, avoid any crowns with dried out, moldy, waterlogged or rotten roots. Roots need to be moist, be firm, have good color, and alive. Also look for good buds on the crowns.

Dig a trench six to twelve inches deep and 12-15 inches wide for the row. Space plants about 18 inches apart, you can do 15 inches apart if work space is limited. Stretch out the roots around and below the crown and fill in soil around them. Next, cover up the crowns with organic soil.

Asparagus will grow freely the first couple years, but can then be harvested starting the third year. The plants will establish their root system and crowns during the first couple years and harvesting will put too much stress on plants and cause them to stunt.

Harvest the spears when 6-8 inches tall, by breaking the shoot off just below ground level. New spears will grow and replace the harvested spears. Healthy plants can be harvested for 6-8 weeks. When spears decrease in thickness and size, stop harvesting and allow the remaining spears to grow fully and replenish the plant.

Planting the plants at varying depths from 3-10 inches deep will allow the harvest period to be extended. Winter mulch can also be retained on half the bed until the spears sprout through. This method will delay growth. It is also possible to let some spears grow in spring, cut back around the end of July, and harvest the spears into the fall. Be certain not to cut any plants that were harvested in spring and keep the garden bed watered.

Once harvested, use or refrigerated immediately.

A winter mulch and yearly topdressing with compost will help a great deal. Avoid damaging the spears by refraining from cultivating during and after harvest.

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