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Asparagus Crowns & Plants

A long-lived perennial vegetable, asparagus will produce tender spears in springtime for years and years. We grow and test many asparagus varieties in our trial gardens. Our asparagus plants for sale are top choices for home gardeners—and we deliver them right to your door.

Choosing the Right Asparagus Plant

When selecting asparagus crowns, you can choose between heirloom varieties or all-male hybrids. All-male hybrids tend to produce more spears. Other factors to consider are disease resistance and color. Some varieties are all green while others are tinged with or all purple Also, some varieties can handle colder or hotter weather better than others. Most asparagus plants grow in zones 3-8.

Getting Started with Asparagus

Because asparagus is a perennial vegetable that can live for 15-20 years, site selection is very important. Selecting a proper site and properly planting the asparagus crowns are keys to growing asparagus spears for years and years. Asparagus plants require full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and well-drained, sandy soil. If you have clay soil, select a space where the water doesn't saturate the soil, such as a hilltop or hillside. Amending the soil with compost or aged manure helps. Also, asparagus roots prefer a soil pH of about 6.5-7. It doesn't like acidic soils. If planting in the spring, the soil bed should be prepared in the fall.

When to Plant Asparagus Crowns

Asparagus crowns are usually planted in the spring about 2-4 weeks before the last spring frost date for your area. Gurney's also offers asparagus plugs that can be planted in the fall.

How to Plant Asparagus

Asparagus crowns are planted in a trench that is 6-12 inches deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart. We recommend mixing Gurney's Asparagus Food into the soil prior to planting. Before planting, soak the asparagus crowns in water for 20-30 minutes. Place the crown in the trench and spread out its roots. Cover with a few inches of soil and water. As the plants emerge, add more soil around them. Continue doing this until the trench is filled in and slightly higher than the soil level. This allows for some settling. Apply a thin layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

How Long Does it Take to Grow Asparagus

During the first year, asparagus spears appear but do not harvest them. This allows the plants to establish themselves and develop strong roots. During the second year, harvest the plants lightly for a few weeks. During the third year, harvest the spears for up to two months.

Other Tips on Growing Asparagus Plants

Asparagus plants are heavy feeders, and we recommend using an all-natural fertilizer, like Gurney's Asparagus Food, twice a year. It can be side-dressed into the soil as shoots begin emerging in the spring and after the harvest is completed. Allow the ferns to grow through the summer and fall. Once they turn brown in the fall, they can be cut down to ground level. This can also be done in early spring before new growth appears.

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