Growing Asparagus

An asparagus patch is typically started with one-year-old crowns purchased
from a garden center or seed catalog.

A crown is the root system of a year-old asparagus plant grown from seed.
There is conflicting information on how asparagus crowns should be planted.
Traditionally it was recommended to dig an 8-inch deep trench for the crowns,
then carefully spread out the roots within the trench, refilling it a bit at a time
as the plants grow. However, recent comparison studies have shown that it
isn't necessary to gradually fill the trench or spread out the roots. Additionally,
the deeper asparagus crowns are planted, the more the yield will be reduced.

To plant your asparagus crowns in the spring, start by digging a trench that is
5-6 inches deep. For every 50 feet of row, add a pound of 0-46-0 triple
superphosphate fertilizer or two pounds of 0-20-0 superphosphate fertilizer
to the trench. Next, toss the crowns into the trench, right on top of the
fertilizer. The plants will grow well whether or not the roots are spread out.
Place the crowns 18 inches apart, with five feet between rows. This will
provide good air circulation for the plants and help prevent fungal diseases.
Finally, backfill the trench to the original soil level, being careful to not
compact the soil over the crowns.

If you have poorly draining or clay soil, it would be better to plant your
asparagus in a raised bed. The asparagus spears cannot be harvested the
same year the crowns were planted. The plants need this time to build their
energy so they can produce well. The following year you may harvest a
small crop over a three-week period, and over a 4-6 week period the year
after that. It is the third year after planting when you can continue to harvest
for the full 6-8 week season. Stop harvesting when new spears become less
than a half inch in diameter.

Once harvesting is done, allow the plants to grow and keep their fern-like
foliage through fall and winter. The foliage will catch snow that will provide
moisture and insulation for the roots. Cut or mow the foliage in early spring
before new growth begins to emerge.

Happy Gardening, Terry