Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns

Description

Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns

Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns produce great yields of long, straight stalks. The most popular heirloom variety in the US brings tasty spring flavor to your table. Mary Washington is extremely cold-hardy & heat tolerant with good rust resistance.  Once established, you’ll have a tasty & low maintenance addition to your garden for years to come. Our crowns have been grown for 2+ years and are estimated ready for light harvest the following spring.

• 2-Year Crowns
• Sold as sets of 10, 25, 50, 100
• Heirloom Variety-Most Popular in the US
• Naturally Grown, Non-GMO & Non-Treated
• High Yields & Easy to Grow!
• Perennial, enjoy tasty spears for years to come!
• Rust Resistant
• Grows well from Zone 4-8
• Full Sun

Asparagus will arrive as freshly dug, dormant, bare-root crowns. For best results, plant as soon as possible. If you are not able to plant immediately, remove all packaging & gently loosen the crowns. Loosely cover with newspaper and store in a cool location out of direct sunlight and wind until you can plant.

Basic Asparagus Growing Info

• Location Considerations: Asparagus requires full sun. Since asparagus is a perennial and can continue to produce for up to 15+ years, choose a spot where it will not get disturbed.
• How Many to Order: Wondering how much asparagus to grow? Established asparagus plants produce about 1/2lb. of spears per bed foot in spring/early summer. If you are just getting asparagus established for the first time, we would recommend 5-10 crowns per person. (covers 15-30 row feet) If space is not an issue, grow more asparagus as it is easy to can or freeze.
• Soil Type: Asparagus prefers well-drained soil. We do not recommend mulching or fertilizing your asparagus until the roots are established. Be sure not to plant in any media containing bark or wood chips. Do not plant into containers smaller than 1 gallon.
• Planting Time: Plant asparagus crowns in the early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. Many folks plant asparagus about the same time as potatoes go into the ground. This time will vary by region. Check with your local Extension office for information specific to your area.

How to Plant and Care for Asparagus

1. Dig a trench that is 12-18 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Trenches should be spaced 2-3 feet apart. It is recommended, but optional, to add a layer of compost and/or an all-purpose fertilizer at the bottom of the trench. (Check out our Veggies Organic Fertilizer Products)
2. Lay the root flat in the bottom of the trench with crown, or top of the root, upright in the middle with “tentacles” spread evenly in each direction.
3. Space plants in the trench so “tentacles” touch, with crowns approximately 12-18 inches apart.
4. Put only 2-3 inches of soil on top at planting time. Add more soil incrementally as the spears grow.
5. Water immediately after planting. Keep the asparagus bed free of weeds.
6. Allow the plant to establish a healthy root system during the planting season by letting all spears grow fully. They will produce fern-like growth, up to 4 feet, depending on the variety. Do not add mulch at this time.

Spring Care & Harvest

• In the spring, cut the dead foliage before the first spears emerge.
• Begin harvest for about 2 weeks the first year and then allow them to grow into ferns & establish a strong root structure. In subsequent years, increase your harvest time until you get to a 6-8 week harvest window.
• Harvest when spears are 6-8 inches long. Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to a week.
• After the harvest window, allow the plants to fern out and gather energy for the following spring.

*NOTE: First sprouts usually appear within 2-6 weeks of establishing an asparagus patch, depending on soil temperatures & moisture level.