Grown for its stems or spears, asparagus yields 8 to 10 pounds or more per 100 square feet of bed if tended well. For most home gardeners, a 20-foot row or 100 square feet of bed is adequate for a family of four. That’s equivalent to 20 planted crowns or 10 pounds of harvested asparagus per season.
What is the yield of one asparagus 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 much asparagus can I harvest?
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 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 much asparagus do you get from one crown?
(One crown will ultimately yield approximately ½ pound of asparagus spears per season). By planting more than one variety, you will extend your harvest period.
How much asparagus should I plant for a family of 4?
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.
Is asparagus a good cash crop?
Planting new asparagus fields is expensive, and it can take experienced growers several years just to break even. Still, many mixed-crop farmers report that asparagus is their most profitable crop, so enterprising small growers can certainly find plenty of opportunity in the industry.
What month is asparagus ready to pick?
Asparagus spears will be ready for harvest shortly after the soil temperature reaches 50°F (10°C) in early spring—that’s when spears will begin to emerge. Two weeks before spears begin breaking through the soil, pull the winter mulch back and cultivate the asparagus patch lightly loosening the soil and uprooting weeds.
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.
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.
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.
How long do asparagus plants last?
With proper care and in the right environment, asparagus live 7 years or more.
How fast does asparagus grow in a day?
In the peak of asparagus season, asparagus spears can grow up to 2 inches per day, producing bountiful harvests for gardeners to enjoy.
How much room do you need for 10 asparagus plants?
Set out the asparagus crowns with the roots spread out in all directions. Space at 12 to 16 inches apart for thick spears; 8 to 10 for thin. Cover the crowns with 2 to 3 inches of soil and water in thoroughly if soil is not already moist.
How many asparagus should I plant?
Once you’ve decided what type of asparagus to grow, you’ll need to decide how much to plant. Obviously, the amount of room you have in your landscape for planting will play a role in this. But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start.
How long 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.
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.
Is asparagus difficult to grow?
Asparagus is easy to grow, producing tasty new shoots from mid-spring to early summer – a seasonal treat to be savoured. These large perennial plants need to be grown in the ground, rather than in containers, where they will crop annually for many years.
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.
How much is an acre of asparagus worth?
approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre
The costs of production of asparagus production varies, however, harvest labor is the highest expense. Based on most recent production and price averages, the estimated gross value per acre is approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre for wholesale and retail markets, respectively.
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.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.