Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don’t produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four.
How many asparagus plants should I grow?
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.
How much asparagus do you get from one 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 asparagus do you get from one root?
When the asparagus crowns are properly established, you should be able to cut 8-10 spears from each crown, but the crop will be spread out over six weeks. That is why you need so many crowns to get a decent picking at any one time. If you like gadgets, you will cut your spears with an asparagus knife.
How many asparagus can you plant in a square foot?
Plant List
| Plant | Number | Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 9 | 1′ 5″ |
| Beans (Pole) | 8 | 9″ |
| Broccoli | 8 | 1′ 5″ |
| Carrot | 16 | 3″ |
What month do you plant asparagus?
Plant asparagus crowns in the early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Many gardeners plant at about the same time as potatoes go in the ground. Asparagus is usually grown from 1-year-old plants called “crowns,” but it can also be grown from seed.
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.
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 asparagus crowns should I plant?
Growing white asparagus is a matter of layering soil over the spears so they don’t produce chlorophyll; you can do this with any variety. Ten crowns will fit in a 4-by-8-foot bed and are generally enough to supply a family of four.
Do asparagus plants spread?
Yes, asparagus will spread as it grows. Asparagus roots can spread out up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground. Asparagus ferns (mature spears with foliage) can spread out 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. An older, more mature asparagus plant will send up more spears from its larger crown and energy reserves.
How many Spears will one asparagus crown produce?
HOW MUCH TO PLANT: How well do you like asparagus? It freezes well and the quality stays good, so you might want to grow some extra for winter use! An average family will probably want 25 to 50 crowns for fresh use. (One crown will ultimately yield approximately ½ pound of asparagus spears per season).
What grows good with asparagus?
Basil and parsley.
Not only do they attract pollinators to all its nearby companion plants, basil and parsley deter asparagus beetles—along with insects that might harm any guardians of asparagus, like tomato hornworms. 3.
How do you prepare the soil for asparagus?
Asparagus does best in lighter soils that warm up quickly in spring and drain well; standing water will quickly rot the roots. Prepare a planting bed for your asparagus —simple raised beds work best — that’s about 4 feet wide by removing all perennial weeds and roots, and digging in aged manure or compost.
How deep should asparagus bed be?
about 12 inches deep
Plant asparagus about 12 inches deep in the soil. Asparagus likes to grow in rich soils, and will deplete the nutrients over time. Be sure to amend the planting area with organic matter and soil amendments like compost if you haven’t already done so. Use a soil mix rich in organic matter.
How close together can you plant asparagus?
Young asparagus plants will grow here for their first year. The site for the asparagus nursery should be level and have sandy soil. Plant seed in spring, about one inch deep, spaced two to three inches apart, within rows that are a foot apart. Seeds can take three weeks to germinate.
How deep does a raised bed need to be for asparagus?
Soil preparation
Start with well-draining soil that’s about 8 inches below the rim of your bed. That means your raised bed needs to be at least 12 inches high to give the roots room to grow, though I recommend building a bed up to 24 inches high for easy harvesting. (My own asparagus bed is 36 inches high!
Does asparagus take 5 years to grow?
It takes at least a year to grow a good crown. To shorten the period from planting to harvest, buy and plant healthy, vigorous, 1- or 2-year-old crowns from a nursery, garden center, or seed catalog. After the asparagus beds are tilled, mark rows 5 feet apart. Dig a furrow 4 inches wide and 4 to 12 inches deep.
When should I burn my asparagus?
In spring, it is best to remove them from the field and burn or compost them elsewhere in order to minimize asparagus insect pests like asparagus beetles and pathogens that have been overwintering in the ferns.
Can you eat asparagus the first year?
No spears should be harvested during the first growing season. Asparagus can be harvested over a three to four week period during its second growing season. In following years, asparagus plantings can be harvested until early to mid-June.
What can I put on my asparagus bed?
Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate.
Can I mow over asparagus?
Answer: The asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in fall. However, it is generally recommended that the dead foliage be allowed to stand over winter.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.