Asparagus
Asparagus is a wholesome garden vegetable considered
a delicacy by the ancient Greeks and today's gourmet. The newer all-male
varieties like Jersey Giant, Jersey King and Centennial produce more and
bigger spears because they don't spend energy making seeds.
Planting
Plant 1-year-old crowns in spring, April 15-May 1, at 6 - 8" deep.
Allow 36" between rows. Let plants grow the first year. The second
year, snap or cut off a few spears per plant just above ground level.
Choose spears thicker than a pencil. Year 3 or later, the harvest lasts
6 to 8 weeks. Asparagus can't be harvested until three years after planting.
However, they can produce abundant spears for more than 25 years. Fertilize
in the spring before the spears appear and in early summer after harvest
using a high-nitrogen formula.
Tips
Late spring frost can kill emerged spears. Do not place in low-lying or
frost-susceptible location. Unharvested, fern-like foilage grows 5 to
6 feet high and can be used as an ornamental border. Crown rot, a fungal
disease can best be prevented by good drainage.
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