How to Grow Asparagus: A Guide for Beginners
Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow at home. With a little patience and care, you can enjoy fresh asparagus from your own garden for many years to come.
Starting Asparagus from Seed
Asparagus can be started from seed or from crowns. Starting from seed is less expensive, but it takes longer to get a harvest. If you start from seed, you will need to sow the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. The seeds should be planted about 1/2 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart. Keep the seeds moist and warm, and they should germinate in 3-6 weeks.
Planting Asparagus Crowns
Planting asparagus crowns is the quickest way to get a harvest. Crowns are available for purchase at most garden centers. When choosing crowns, look for ones that are firm and healthy.
To plant asparagus crowns, dig a trench that is 8-12 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide. Space the crowns 12-18 inches apart in the trench. Cover the crowns with soil, and water them well.
Asparagus Planting Instructions
Once you have started your asparagus plants from seed or crowns, there are a few things you need to do to care for them.
- Water: Asparagus plants need regular watering, especially during hot weather.
- Fertilize: Asparagus plants are heavy feeders, so they need to be fertilized regularly. A balanced fertilizer can be applied every few weeks.
- Weed: Asparagus beds should be kept weed free. Weeds can compete with asparagus plants for water and nutrients.
- Mulch: Mulching around asparagus plants helps to keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
Harvesting Asparagus
Asparagus is ready to harvest when the spears are 6-8 inches tall. To harvest asparagus, simply snap the spears off at the base. Be careful not to damage the plant.
Asparagus can be harvested for 6-8 weeks each spring. After harvesting, allow the plants to grow and fern out. This will help them to store energy for the next growing season.
Common Asparagus Problems
Asparagus is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but there are a few common problems that you may encounter.
- Pests: Asparagus beetles are the most common pests of asparagus plants. These beetles can damage the leaves and stems of the plants.
- Diseases: Asparagus rust is a fungal disease that can cause the leaves of asparagus plants to turn yellow and drop off.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Asparagus plants can develop nutrient deficiencies if the soil is not fertile.
Tips for Growing Asparagus
- Asparagus prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0.
- Asparagus plants need full sun to partial shade.
- Asparagus plants are heavy feeders, so they need to be fertilized regularly.
- Asparagus beds should be kept weed free.
