How to Grow and Care for Asparagus

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How to Grow and Care for Asparagus

Asparagus is a delicious spring vegetable that is worth the effort required to grow successfully. Asparagus grown fresh from your own garden will be crisp-tender, not fibrous, and bursting with flavor. However, asparagus does require patience, as it can take 3-5 years after planting for the bed to produce a full harvest. To plant it successfully, you shouldn’t miss out on this article about how to grow and care for asparagus

About Asparagus

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable in the lily family. It produces edible spear-like stalks and bright red berries. The most common types for home growing are white asparagus and green asparagus. White asparagus is more delicate but takes longer to mature. Asparagus prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral pH.

How to Grow Asparagus?

  • Select a spot with fertile, organic soil and full sun exposure. Asparagus needs a long growing season, so choose a permanent location.
  • Obtain 1-2 year-old crowns or starts. Space the crowns about 18 inches apart in rows 30-36 inches apart.
  • Water the asparagus thoroughly after planting and add a layer of mulch 3-4 inches deep to retain moisture in the soil.
  • Fertilize the asparagus in early spring before new spears emerge and again mid-summer. Use a balanced fertilizer or compost.
  • Allow spears to grow to 6-8 inches tall, then harvest them by snapping or cutting them off at the base. Stop harvesting after 6-8 weeks.
  • In late summer or early fall, allow some spears to develop into fronds. These fronds will produce next season’s spears.
  • Remove dead fronds in early spring before new growth starts. Do not remove the entire crown.
  • Add a thick layer of mulch each year after the spring harvest to prevent weeds and help the soil retain moisture.

How to Care for Asparagus

  • Water: Water asparagus regularly, especially in hot or dry weather. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week.
  • Fertilize: Fertilize in early spring and midsummer. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
  • Havert: Harvest spears when 6-8 inches tall by snapping or cutting. Stop after 6-8 weeks.
  • Deadhead: Remove dead fronds in early spring but do not remove the entire crown.
  • Mulch: Mulch around the asparagus bed each year with 2-4 inches of compost or other organic matter. Apply a weed preventer or mulch in early spring to control weeds and keep the bed looking tidy.

Conclusion

With the right conditions and care, your asparagus bed can provide delicious homegrown spears for 15-30 years or longer. Let me know if we can help you more when planting asparagus .

The only guy in the group, Jack Stevenson, brings a hands-on perspective to reviewing power equipment like lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and more. With over 30 years of experience as a landscaper helping both homeowners and businesses maintain their properties, Jack knows the durability and performance that professionals require. When he's not testing tools to destruction, Jack enjoys restoring classic motorcycles, something that also requires finding the right equipment to get the job done.

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