Last week I was very excited to get an order of asparagus crowns to plant in the garden. I grew up eating fresh asparagus straight from my dad’s garden, and it is hard to beat those fresh, green spears for an early spring vegetable.
Asparagus is a fun crop to grow in the garden. It is a perennial crop that can produce for
15-25 years with proper care. I love to see the foliage grow throughout the season; the tall, feathery plants create a nice backdrop in the garden.
Asparagus does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It prefers sandy or light textured soil, so you need to prepare your beds with compost or use raised beds for the best results in Williamson County. The easiest way to get asparagus started in the garden is to purchase one year old crowns. Plant the crowns about four to six inches deep and 18 inches apart. Be sure to remove all weeds before planting and take care to control weeds throughout the season.
Do not plan to harvest asparagus the first year. Allow the foliage to grow, then cut back the foliage in the fall after it turns brown. This allows the crowns to store carbohydrates for a strong harvest in the following years. You can begin with a light harvest in the second year but allow the spears to grow into ferns again. Asparagus is ready for a full harvest in the third year.
Each year, allow the asparagus to grow the ferns from late spring to fall. Cut back the foliage after the first freeze to force dormancy. In the spring, asparagus is one of the first crops to be ready. Harvest the spears when they are four to 10 inches. Asparagus spears can grow seven inches each day, so be ready to harvest every other day.
To harvest, snap off the spears at ground level or use a knife to cut them just below the ground. Do not leave a stub to remain above the ground. Harvest asparagus for up to six weeks, depending on weather conditions. Stop harvesting when the spears become smaller than 3/8 inch in diameter. Allow the spears to grow and leaf out.
Asparagus needs deep watering, so plan to water when the top inch of soil dries out. Be sure to fertilize with a nitrogen fertilizer in late January or early February, then again after harvest. Keep beds free from weeds throughout the year. Add a three-inch layer of mulch at the end of the harvest season to prevent weeds.
For more lawn and garden information, contact Kate Hajda, Horticulture Extension Agent at the Williamson County AgriLife Extension Office, at 512-943-3300.
