Asparagus Seeds - Mary Washington - Asparagus officinalis

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

USDA Zones 3-10 - Grows as a hardy perennial. Asparagus requires a cold dormancy period in winter to produce well.

Best performance in Zones 4-9 where it can establish and thrive with minimal care.

Northern Zones (3-5) - Plant seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date. The plants require a long season to establish their crowns before winter. Direct sowing is also an option once the soil is workable, but it will take longer to get established.

Hot Climate Zones (9-10) - Plant in early spring. The plants can still be grown, but they may not produce as much and may not have a long enough dormancy period to maintain vigor.

Soil Temperature - Requires a cool soil for germination, with an optimal temperature range of 60-85F.

Growing Season - Requires patience! It takes 2-3 years from seed to the first harvest, but once established, it will produce for many years.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. You can also direct sow seeds in the garden in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Growing from seed is a multi-year process. You will not harvest spears in the first year.

Location and Soil:
Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day). Asparagus is a long-term commitment, so choose a permanent bed. It thrives in rich, loose, well-draining soil with a good amount of organic matter. A soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal.

Sowing Seeds:

Seed Preparation: Soak seeds in warm water for 24-48 hours before planting to soften the seed coat and speed up germination.

Sowing Indoors: Fill seed starting trays or pots with a well-draining seed starting mix. Sow seeds about 1/2 inch deep.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Place the trays in a warm, sunny location.

Germination can be slow, taking up to 3 weeks or more.

Transplanting Outdoors:

In the spring of the first year, after all danger of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings (known as "crowns" at this stage) into a permanent bed.

Dig a trench about 8-12 inches deep and wide.

Mix compost or aged manure into the trench. Create a ridge of soil down the center of the trench.

Place the crowns on top of the ridge, spreading the roots out, and cover with 2-3 inches of soil. As the plant grows, gradually fill in the trench with soil until it is level with the surrounding ground.

Care and Maintenance:

Year 1: Do not harvest any spears. Allow the plants to grow into ferns to store energy in the roots for future harvests. Keep the bed weed-free and consistently moist.

Year 2: You can have a very light harvest for 1-2 weeks. After that, allow the ferns to grow.

Year 3 and Beyond: The patch is now established. Harvest spears for about 6-8 weeks in the spring. Harvest spears when they are about 6-10 inches tall and have tight tips.

Winter: In late fall, after the ferns have turned yellow, cut them back to the ground and mulch the bed.

Pests and Diseases: Watch for common pests like asparagus beetles.

Fertilizing: A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer can be applied in early spring before growth begins and again after the harvest.