Asparagus

[Land of Lincoln]

I’ve never grown asparagus before but love eating it which tells me I should grow some. Would like input on growing it from crowns or seeds? I have some seed, which I think are Mary Washington and are a couple of years old.

Should I purchase crowns and grow them that way or plant the seed. Any of you asparagus aficionados care to pass along any growing advice?

Thanks in advance

 

[lagrange chicks]

I’ve never grown asparagus before but love eating it which tells me I should grow some. Would like input on growing it from crowns or seeds? I have some seed, which I think are Mary Washington and are a couple of years old.

Should I purchase crowns and grow them that way or plant the seed. Any of you asparagus aficionados care to pass along any growing advice?

Thanks in advance

Crowns will get you spears sooner than seed, I have only planted crowns but even with crowns you should limit the amount you harvest the 1st few years.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've only done crowns as well, but if you have seed no reason not to try it.

Realistically you won't have a harvest until the 3rd year, maybe even 4th year, but figure the longer you delay it the longer the wait will get. I only keep a very small bed of asparagus (8 crowns) but it's enough to keep me in asparagus for several weeks during the season.

 

[Land of Lincoln]

Thank you both for the advice. From reading your responses, I’ll most likely try a combination of the two.

Any certain requirements for a decent yield?

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's a heavy feeder so make sure to fertilize/add compost in spring, and leave fronds up as long as you can even after summer so the root system stays healthy and continues expanding. And keep the bed clear of weeds as much as possible.

 

[Sally PB]

All excellent advice. Only thing I can add is, do some site prep by loosening and enriching the soil. Test the soil before hand if you think it needs something.

Asparagus plants can live for decades, so plant it where you want it. The crowns don't transplant well; I've dug up 3 to move them to a better spot, and none of them survived.