Asparagus Growing and Care Calendar

How long is the growing season for asparagus?
How do you maintain asparagus?
How many times can you harvest asparagus?
When should asparagus be cut back?
Should I let my asparagus go to seed?
Does asparagus grow back after you cut it?
What is the best fertilizer for asparagus?
Why are my asparagus spears so thin?
Does asparagus multiply?
Does asparagus spread on its own?
How much asparagus do you get from one plant?
Can you eat raw asparagus?

How long is the growing season for asparagus?

However, the plant can be productive for 10 years or more, so it's worth the wait. You can start planting as soon as the soil is workable in late winter or early spring. How much your family enjoys asparagus determines how many plants you will need.

How do you maintain asparagus?

Caring for Asparagus

Asparagus should not have its roots disturbed, so you'll need to gently hand-pull weeds, taking care not to disturb asparagus' roots. Weeds will become less of an issue as the plants fill in. Mulch around the plant with compost or grass clippings to help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.

How many times can you harvest asparagus?

Early in the season, 7-to-9 inch spears might be harvested every two to four days. As air temperatures increase, harvesting frequencies will increase to once or twice per day. Growers can have up to 24 harvests per season, after which crowns are allowed to fern and grow out.

When should asparagus be cut back?

Ideally, asparagus should be cut back in the fall but it is important that you wait until all of the foliage has died back and turned brown or yellow. This will normally happen after first frost, but it can happen without frost in areas that do not receive frost.

Should I let my asparagus go to seed?

Late Spring Asparagus Garden

Sow asparagus seed 1½ inches (3.8cm) deep and 2 inches (5cm) apart in loose, well-drained soil. Sow seed when the soil temperature is between 70 and 75°F (21-24°C). Seeds should emerge in 10 to 20 days. Keep the soil moist and control weeds.

Does asparagus grow back after you cut it?

Now, let's get to the question: does asparagus regrow after cutting. The answer is yes because perennial plants return year after year. After all, a plant won't last 20 years if it can't regrow after cutting.

What is the best fertilizer for asparagus?

Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .

Why are my asparagus spears so thin?

Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. ... Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.

Does asparagus multiply?

Asparagus plants are long-lived and vigorous. When asparagus plants are growing in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time. A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, and even up to eight weeks.

Does asparagus spread on its own?

Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. They won't spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in. ... Unlike many plants, the roots of asparagus crowns can withstand some air exposure, and you will usually find them for sale loose.

How much asparagus do you get from one plant?

Each plant yields about 1/2 pound of asparagus spears each harvest.

Can you eat raw asparagus?

Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.