How to grow Asparagus

Planting Asparagus

Asparagus require a well dug well drained humus rich soil and a sunny position. In general 1 year old asparagus crowns are used not seed.

Asparagus is an interesting plant in that it is planted in a trench (around 7 -9 inches deep) and the trench is progressively backfilled as the spears begin to grow.

Plant crowns 12 inches apart with adequate spacing between rows to allow for the trench to be backfilled without disturbing plants.

Spears are harvested as they appear above the soil and this can be done by simply snapping them off, or you can use a sharp knife, but be careful not to cut the new shoots that are appearing or are just below the soil.

Asparagus Growing Summary

• Asparagus prefer pH of 5.5-6.5.
• Plant Crowns 7 -9 inches deep
• Asparagus are hungry plants and require regular fertilize, try a seaweed fertilizer
• Do NOT harvest in the first year, let the ferns develop.
• When harvesting look for well formed growing tips that are not to tall, not to skinny and not to fat.
• Remember to stop cutting (around June in most areas) and let the ferns develop so that the crowns are well fed for the next year.
• Leave the ferns until they die back and then remove them
• Mulch over winter and keep weed free

Harvesting or picking Asparagus

Two ideas exist on how to harvest asparagus, one is to snap or cut above the soil level, the other is to snap or cut 10cm below the soil level. We prefer to snap or cut below the soil depending if we have a knife with us at the time. Be very careful not to damage the crowns when harvesting.

Did you know that asparagus stems are fairly tough, a serrated knife is best and commercial growers use a special 'asparagus harvesting knife' For best results harvest in the cool of the morning and store in a refrigerated area.

Asparagus Varieties

Asparagus comes a white green or purple/red.

• Martha Washington, Mary Washington and Waltham Washington Asparagus are all old favourites.
• Jersey Giant, Jersey Prince, and Jersey Knight are all male asparagus hybrids and better producers
• Purple Passion Asparagus are said to be sweeter and more tender (remember they will turn green when cooked)

HOW TO GROW WHITE ASPARAGUS.

The white asparagus is grown by protecting the spears from the sun by continual hilling of the soil or applying mulch so that the spears actually grow underground or out of the light.