Asparagus

Looking for Mary Washington asparagus to grow in Richmond,IN. I can not find any around this area. I want to buy it reasonable. Is it too late to put it out? My sister gave me fresh asparagus and it was wonderful, she brought in the grocery store. In the can is bad.
Frozen is next best. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. on how to grow and harvest. Thanks in advance

I planted some asparagus seeds a few months ago, "now what" I can't seemed to find what to do or expect next. These are in individual pots and each came up and hasn't grown past about 3" in height. I examined one (destroying it) just to see what kind of root(s) it was producing. There were lots of small hair like roots formed. I just don't know what to expect next....I assume these babies will die off and come back again next year,,,but how long before I can expect to have roots (such as I've see in the books) that can be transplanted to the bed I want to eventually grow these things in....

If anyone has info on creating an asparagus crop by way of seeds please let me hear from you. Baileysellshomes@aol.com

Thanks, Bailey

Bailey, From seed, you are going to have to wait about three years before you can cut asparagus to eat. When you purchase one year plants, they come with instructions for "light cutting in two years, regular after that." It takes three years to establish an asparagus bed, but then it lasts for 20 or so years! Boy, do I wish I'd established one when we moved here 20 years ago! but was just too busy at the time.

Meroser, Burpee has Martha Washington - seed and plants - http://www.burpee.com/vegetables/asparagus/asparagus-mary-washington-prod000569.html

I started my asparagus plants from seed three years ago. I obtained the seeds from Thompson and Morgan seed company (I don't think they sell asparagus seeds anymore).



It was a challenge. Out of the thirty seeds I planted, ten sprouted, and 6 survived and I was able to transplant them to a permanent location in my garden. (Hmm - 30 seeds yielded 6 plants, now I know why most asparagus seed offering provide over 100 seeds)



If I had to do it all over again, I would obtain one year old asparagus crowns from a reliable grower. You will save time and aggrevation. Besides, you want to purchase "male" variety of asparagus (Jersey Knight) - they are larger and won't produce seeds that will litter your asparagus beds with seedlings. The seedlings are considered a weed by some gardeners.


James

One piece of advice I wish to share with anyone that wishes to start an asparagus bed- plan your asparagus bed in advance of planting the asparagus crowns. It sounds like common sense, but it is overlooked.

Here is a helpful guide from the North Carolina State University Department of Horticulture: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8002.html



To Summarize:



1) Determine the number of plants you should grow. Plant 10 crowns for each family member.



2) Identify the location and size of your asparagus bed.



3) Start building up the organic matter (humus) content of the soil at least a year in advance of planting. Since this crop will occupy the land for many years you should start the asparagus bed properly. Check the soil pH, it should be 6.0 to 6.7 because asparagus grows poorly in acid soils.



When you are ready to plant your asparagus, here is a helpful guide from the University of Minnesota ( I like the detailed pictures how to plant): http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1861.html



I know there are other more experienced asparagus growers out there, I just wanted to share my experience - my two cents worth!

James

My Moto is have fun trying the "I wonder ideals". I purchased some bags of asparagus roots at my local builders suppy hardware store,I also found some seeds there also {I bought them too} Going with the concept of if it works it is good-if you don't like the results,change things the next growing season.I selected an area about 2 1/2 ft by 6 ft for my bed,removed the grass-worked the dirt so it was nice like potting soil.1st I planted the roots,then spot planted the seeds.I mist watered every other day and within about a week plants started to apear.plants from the seeds are about 10" tall now and the rooted plants are up about 3ft.Next year I'll start to cut some from the rooted plants to encourage them to get larger around;but this year I'll let them go to seed and add to the bed giveing me more plants in the future.

This year I'll be taking my first foray into growing asparagus. I bought five roots this month which I intend to plant up. Luckily, the ones I bought were of the Jersey variety, so they won't be invasive. I did not know that until I read your article. Thank you for the information. I was lucky to get organic roots from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, which is local, but ships nationally. You can find them online if you are interested in their wonderful, organic products tools and great soils and amendments.

Believe it or not, I got my Mary Washington crowns at my local WalMart @ 5 years ago. All but one survived. Starting with seeds, (done that too) is a royal pain! Seeds are about the size of black pepper & take every bit of 3 years before you can enjoy some home grown asparagus.

I too started seeds. They grew up to be kinda hairy looking. There were tiny spears too, but mostly hairy tops. What to do? Does anyone know what I need to do next. When do I transplant them to their true home. And how do I know male from female? Also I thought I would add that the seeds were started for me and given as a gift. My friend thought she was doing me a favor, It sounds as if it might be more of a project. Any help/ advice would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I planted Mary Washington crowns this spring in a raised bed & it is flourishing nicely! I will say that if planting crowns, look for the 2- 3 year old ones. That way you can harvest a little the 1st year, & next spring I think we will have quite alot to harvest.

I am a Premier Life member and can find nothing on growing, raising or when to cut asaparagus,why should I belong to your club? 70529272

Hello, My father planted a very productive Asparagus Bed after I had left for OK for my government job. Mom told me about this bed and said she never tasted asparagus that good.
Well dad got sick and passed on. I retired and came home to help mom around the house and gardens. I came across the overgrown bed by mistake. I was exploring the garden to know what was still there and what to purchase. I found some fronds and asked mom what they were. She said that is where the asparagus was. I had ordered some crowns and that area was where I had planned to grow my own.
We found three producing plants scattered in an area at the back of the garden. I was planning on 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. dad apparently had his 25 feet long and 8 feet wide! We did not find all the plants but I was able to transplant the stray originals into the new beds with the new plants.
The gardening club book - Gardening Secrets has some info on page 186. I found most of my information by Googling Asparagus.
Hope this helps. Helen

My Asparagus Bed is 1 yr old. What could be eating the tops off the asparagus as they peak their heads out of the ground?