By Bonnie Rose
If you love asparagus, consider growing your own. One of the few perennial vegetables, asparagus will produce for 15-20 years or more Like a fruit tree, there is no harvest right away—yes, it’s a commitment, not a zucchini.
Asparagus can be grown from seeds which are slow to geminate and will add an additional year before you are able to harvest.
The more common way is to plant crowns which are available in local nurseries and are 2-3 years old. The variety Martha Washington is an old standard and has both male and female plants. Newer all-male hybrids are available and reportedly are 3 times more productive than Martha Washington. I have planted purple asparagus along with the green which is a nice change.
Asparagus spears should not be harvested the first season the crowns are set, and only harvested lightly the second year. It’s hard to wait, but when plants are in their third season, they can be harvested for up to 6-10 weeks per year. Once established, spears can (and should be) harvested
Planting time for asparagus crowns in our area is January and February.
The plants need space and good drainage and are good candidates for raised beds or mounds. They like full sun, but tolerate some afternoon shade. Grilled, roasted, raw, or steamed, asparagus is the perfect spring vegetable- plant at least a dozen crowns for two people.