Asparagus is one of those polarizing vegetables, people seem to love it or hate. I am in the ‘love it’ camp and you should be too! Continue reading for a step by step guide to successful asparagus planting. Done correctly your asparagus beds will reap bountiful spring harvests for decades.
Remove Competition
Asparagus is perennial and planted correctly will produce for a quarter century or longer. As with all perennials bed prep is essential for success going forward. With low growing plants like asparagus weed management is vital. Perennial and annual weeds must be eliminated. One of my favorite ways to remove weeds is solarization. Check out how to solarize your asparagus bed here.
Proper pH for Success
Once your planting area is clear of competition you can focus on soil. Asparagus prefers a higher than average pH. If you haven’t already, get your soil pH tested. Over the counter pH tests are cheap or you can go for a full soil test from a local extension agent. A pH of 7.0 or slightly higher is best for Asparagus. If your soil is too acidic adding lime to your planting bed will raise. Consult your soil test for the recommended application rate.
Prepping your Bed
Now that your soil pH is spot on the real work begins. Asparagus is planted in a trench. Most planting guides will recommend you dig 12 inches deep and just as wide. This is hard work if you are like me and planting without a trencher. Since most gardeners and homesteaders don’t have a trencher at the ready, let’s dig a little smaller trench and save our backs at the same time.
Yes you still need a trench. With a mattlock and pick you can dig 4-6 inches deep and 2-3 inches wide in one or two passes with moderate effort. I have found that straddling the trench site and going up and down the row works nicely. Trenches can be spaced about 2-3 feet apart. Leave the excavated soil on either side of the trench. It will come in handy later in the process.
Planting
The trenches are dug, rest easy. The hard work is behind you, now let’s talk spacing. Each crown needs about 12-18 inches between plants. For those of you who dug a 12″ wide and 12″ deep trench you can plant your asparagus crowns in the traditional manner. Set the crowns on a small 1-3″ soil mound in the center of the trench. Roots are splayed out in every direction filling up the 12″ wide trench. Backfill the remaining soil into the trench.
For those who dug a slightly smaller trench the process is simple. Lay your crowns on their side inside the trench, each crown should be planted about 12-18″ apart from the next. Hold off on backfilling the trench until after we discuss fertility.
Fertility
Your asparagus plants are in the trench. We haven’t covered them yet as this is the time to add fertility (if needed). Depending on your soil results your fertility regimen can vary. For most gardeners mixing compost with their garden soil is all they need. Mixing equal parts compost and garden soil is the perfect ratio. If your asparagus patch needs an extra jumpstart try adding an all purpose fertilizer and/or a cup or two of greensand.
Now that your compost and additional fertility are added, mix it all together with your soil on either side of the trench. Backfill the soil and compost mix into the trenches.
Yes, your asparagus crowns will be covered with soil (tiny spears will emerge the first spring, more on that later). Water in thoroughly and backfill the trench. Any left over soil can be mounded up over the trench.
Mulch can be added to your asparagus bed to keep it weed free. Use whatever is available and fits your needs. In our asparagus patch we use straw, wood chips, and leaves.
Harvest
The first spring don’t harvest any of the spears, they will be thin and spindly. Let them grow tall and fern like. Each fall the plants should be cut back to ground level. I use a lawnmower as it is quick and easy.
The second spring a minimal harvest can be taken. Harvest one cutting, for a week or less. Spears will be slightly larger than the first year but still thinner than what you see in the store. After harvest let your asparagus grow into tall fern like plants.
During the third year, harvest can last 2-3 weeks. Take up to two cuttings of spears. As your plants mature harvests can last up to 4-5 weeks with multiple cuttings.
Maintenance
Being a perennial can be a gift and a curse. Left unmanaged weeds and other competition can outcompete young plants. Each fall cut back your asparagus to ground level. Weeds can be lightly tilled, only go an inch or so deep. Other weed options is hand pulling or heavy mulch. Fertility can be added every year or two in the form of compost or liquid N-P-K solution.
Lastly enjoy picking and eating asparagus every spring for the next 30 years!
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