GROWING ASPARAGUS

Asparagus is a delicious, decorative vegetable that will live for years in your garden with just a little preparation!

SOILS 
Asparagus will not do well in soil that drains poorly, or that becomes excessively dry over the summer. Compost or manure will help improve the soil and should be applied prior to planting and worked in thoroughly. If no manure is available, add peat moss, leaf mold, or other organics. Manure or compost can be added as a top dressing later as the asparagus grows.

PLANTING - SETTING THE CROWN 
When the soil is properly prepared, make a furrow or trench 6-8” deep and about the same distance wide. Spread the octopus-like roots out in every direction like the dials of a clock with the bud-like crown facing up. Set this crown in the furrow about 12” apart and cover with about 2” of soil.

FERTILIZER AND LIME
Asparagus needs a neutral soil (pH 6.5 yo 7.0) so it’s best (unless your soil has been limed recently) to add ground limestone in the spring or fall and work it into the soil. Generally when fertilizing, use 1-2 lbs. of 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer per 25 feet or row before you see asparagus coming up in the spring. Work lightly into the soil. Repeat in June or July.

HARVESTING 
A light harvest may be made the first year. The second year, harvest spears for about 2 weeks. The third year, you may extend this by another week. After that, the harvest can be extended into 7 or 8 weeks. Harvest by cutting with a knife or breaking the spears off at the surface of the ground.

Stop cutting around the third week in June. If a weed problem develops, cultivate lightly until the plot is weed free. You may also use mulch to control weeds. Do not cut the ferny part of the asparagus - it forms the spears for next year. After the frost has killed the fern, you may remove them and burn or discard them.

PESTS 
The asparagus beetle is the only serious insect problem, and can be effectively controlled by spraying or dusting with 1% Rotenone or Sevin.

If these tips are followed, you may expect to have nice asparagus for 15-20 years.