Description
Asparagus officinalis
Asparagus This hardy perennial produces abundant, thick, delicious spears. Plants are dioecious, with male plants producing larger, thicker spears, while female plants produce small berries. Asparagus thrives in well-drained soil with half-day to full sun and benefits from deeply prepared beds rich in organic matter. Crowns can be transplanted 4–6 weeks before the last frost. Spears should be cut when 6–10 inches tall, leaving smaller spears to mature into ferns and maintain bed productivity. With each successive year, plants yield more and extend the harvest window. Asparagus is extremely cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to –40°F, and requires minimal pest and disease management when beds are kept vigorous and healthy.
USDA Zone: 3
Time to productivity: full productivity will be reached 2–3 years after planting crowns
Ripening time: Late May to June
Harvest length: Moderate 2–3 week harvest from young crowns, increasing in subsequent years