Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Planting asparagus
Gardeners have been growing asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) for more than 2,000 years. A well-maintained asparagus bed will start bearing one year after planting and will stay productive for 10 to 15 years. The University of MN has a lot of great information on planting asparagus.
While many sites I visited recommended optimal planting in the Spring, Fall is just fine as temperatures cool off. In fact you can purchase 2 year crowns from some nurseries that would be ready to harvest next season.
As the asparagus begins to grow, gradually fill in the furrow with soil. (Be careful not to cover any of the asparagus foliage.) The furrows should be filled to ground level by the end of the first growing season.
Add organic fertilizer (about 1/4 cup per plant of granular) spreading the fertilizer on each side of the asparagus and cultivate it lightly into the soil. Keep your new plants well watered. Allow year 1 plants to grow into brush which looks like dill or a ferny bush. Late in the fall of the first growing season, after the brush has turned completely brown, remove the brush (old stalks) and any weeds.
Make sure you know whether you’re planting 1st or 2nd year plants. They can also be grown from seed indoors if you’re so inclined.
BUY locally, talk to your local nursery to learn more Gertens
and/or check out these links:
A very simple recipe is to sauté the asparagus with some quality olive oil and onion. I like the red onion and use Tuscan Herb olive oil but there are so many flavors in specialty shops!