Asparagus

Soil Preparation: Pick a sunny spot on the north side of your garden. The asparagus plants will be there for a long time! Add 5 lbs. of Ferti-lome Gardener’s Special for each 100 sq.ft. of area. Apply a 2 cu.ft. bale of Sphagnum Peat and 20 lbs. of Gypsum to improve the soil texture. Spade these soil amendments into the top 6-8 inches while loosening the underlying 6 inches.

Planting: Plant the asparagus crowns 5-6 inches below grade in the prepared soil. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil. The crowns are planted 18 inches apart in the rows, and the rows are spaced 3-4 feet apart.

Harvesting: There should be NO harvest made the first year it is planted. Light harvests (2-3 weeks) can begin the second year in early April as the shoots emerge. Full harvest (6-8 weeks) starts the third year and runs until the first of June. The spears should be 6-8 inches long and tight. Cool to warm weather means harvesting every 3-4 days. Hot weather may mean picking every day. Cutting should be done carefully to avoid injuring shoots not seen.

Cultural Tips

• · Beds should be fertilized yearly for high yields
  
• · Nature’s Blend Compost should be applied in the fall. Use 40 lbs. for every 100 sq.ft.
• · Apply 2-3 lbs. of Ferti-lome Gardener’s Special in early March.
• · Put Mulch down to prevent weeds in the beds.
• · The foliage growth of the asparagus can reach 4-6 ft. This is why the north side is the best. It does not block other vegetables from the sun.
• · Do NOT remove the top foliar growth until after the frost kills it.