Can You Make Money Growing Asparagus?

A farmer can sell asparagus for $1.50 a pound wholesale, said Bernie Solymar, executive director of Asparagus Growers of Ontario. A variety developed by the Asparagus Growers of Ontario, called Millennium, will yield an average of 7,000 lb. in less than two months.

How do you sell asparagus?

It is traditionally sold in pyramid crates packed with 1.5- to 2.5-pound bunches held with a rubber band. Several marketing alternatives are available to the asparagus grower: wholesale marketing, produce auctions, cooperatives, local retailers, roadside stands, and pick-your-own operations.

Is asparagus worth growing?

Asparagus is a nutrient-packed perennial, meaning this good-for-you veggie will produce year after year when properly cared for. Yes, that does mean it takes years to develop a crop of healthy asparagus, but the payoff is worth it.

How much asparagus do you get from 1 plant?

A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears. When asparagus plants grow in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time.

How many years does it take to grow asparagus?

Asparagus is grown from 1- or 2-yearold crowns planted in January or February, or as soon as the ground can be worked. Crowns can also be grown from seeds planted in flats or peat cups. It takes at least a year to grow a good crown.

How much asparagus can you grow in one acre?

Growers expected stands to maintain peak yields of 3,000 to 5,000 pounds per acre, with an average of 4,000 pounds per acre for 6 years.

How many times can you harvest asparagus in a year?

Early in the season, you might harvest 7- to 9-inch spears every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. You can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which you can allow crowns to fern and grow out.

How many years do asparagus plants live?

With proper care and in the right environment, asparagus live 7 years or more. What care do I provide for my asparagus in preparation for winter? After the fronds turn brown, remove them by cutting them off at the base.

Does asparagus regrow after cutting?

Yes, it does. Asparagus regrow after cutting. This is because perennial plants make a return year after year. The fact that a plant lasts 20 years is evidence that it does regrow after cutting.

Is asparagus hard to grow?

Not only is it easy to grow and maintain but it’s a perennial crop as well. So with one year of planting, you can set yourself up for years and years of future harvests. In fact, a single planting of asparagus crowns can keep on producing for 20 years or more. Now that is a serious return on a little planting effort!

How much room do you need for 20 asparagus plants?

If you want to harvest 10 pounds per season, you’ll need a row of 20 plants, spaced one foot apart.

What grows well with asparagus?

Here are a few examples of good companions for asparagus:

• Nightshades, like tomatoes and eggplant.
• Basil and parsley.
• Coriander, comfrey, and dill.
• Members of the Aster family, like marigolds and nasturtiums.

Does asparagus come back every year?

Asparagus is one of the first plants that greets us in springtime! It’s a perennial, which means that once it gets established, the tender spears will return year after year. In addition, its ferny foliage makes an excellent ornamental.

What do I do with my first year asparagus?

Save time when growing asparagus by planting 1-year old asparagus crowns. Select a spot with good drainage. Dig a trench and plant the crowns 15-18 inches apart.
Avoid harvesting your first year as the asparagus gets established.

1. Start with Dormant Crowns.
2. Plant in Rows.
3. Feed Well.
4. Enjoy Your Asparagus Every Year.

Does asparagus multiply?

DOES ASPARAGUS MULTIPLY ON ITS OWN AND HOW MUCH ASPARAGUS CAN ONE GET FROM ONE PLANT? Of course yes. Asparagus can multiply on its own as long as the seeds or roots are planted correctly and the plant is properly taken care of. The plants normally have strong roots which tend to shoot up sticks everywhere.

What state grows the most asparagus?

Michigan
(WXYZ) — Here’s something you probably didn’t know: Michigan produces the most asparagus in the country. According to Agriculture Facts and Figures from the state government, Michigan produces up to 23 million pounds of the vegetable annually. Michigan growers harvest approximately 9,500 acres annually.

How do you grow asparagus commercially?

Commercially, asparagus can be started in the greenhouse 8 to 10 weeks prior to transplanting in the field or planted as one- or two-year-old crowns. Crowns are developed root systems with a fairly defined storage organ and growth buds.

How many asparagus plants should I plant?

But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It’s not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years. It does best in well-drained soils that are in full sun.

Does asparagus avoid rain?

Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein said asparagus doesn’t prevent rain, and it is totally illogical to say that plants influence weather patterns. The minister reiterated that the claims are a myth and unfounded allegations, and should thus be disregarded.

How long do asparagus crowns produce?

The seedlings themselves require several weeks to reach two inches in height, the size right for transplanting into a growing bed. It takes three to four years for a young plant to develop the maturity needed to support annual harvests that last four to six weeks. Until then, one must harvest sparingly.

Do asparagus plants spread?

Remember, asparagus roots will spread over time but diminish in production. Divide them every three years or so for a non-stop harvest year after year.