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Asparagus
From CSU Extension:
Soil – Asparagus tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they are well drained. It prefers soil high in organic matter, and full sun (eight hours/day minimum).
Fertilizing – Asparagus is a heavy feeder. Fertilize in spring as growth starts and again in mid-summer after the harvest period.
Mulching – Asparagus competes poorly with weeds and other crops for water, nutrients, and space. Organic mulch is recommended. Mulch also provides winter cold protection for the roots.
Harvesting – The asparagus bed can be weakened or destroyed by over harvesting. The harvest period for an established bed is only four to six weeks (May into mid-June). Harvest only larger spears. Stop harvesting if spears decrease to pencil size or smaller. Leave the ferns (foliage) to grow until fall or let stand through the winter, finally cutting before new growth begins in spring.
Planting – Extra efforts in plantings new beds pay off with increased production.
Thoroughly work in four inches of well-composted and aged organic matter through the soil to a 12 inch depth.
Before planting, soak roots in warm water for a couple of hours.
Dig a trench four to five inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the spread-out roots. Space roots, typically 18 inches apart, covering with only two inches of soil.
Add additional soil during the growing season, as plants grow. Asparagus roots are easily smothered if planted too deep initially. (Many texts talk of planting six to eight inches deep. However, this deep planting will decrease yields.)
When planting from seed, start seeds indoors 12 weeks prior to transplanting outdoors. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors.
Crowns: Jersey Supreme Asparagus Crowns from Territorial Seeds
An exciting release in the Jersey asparagus series. The all-male hybrid emerges approximately 7-10 days earlier than other varieties. This is welcome news for asparagus lovers and market growers. Great tasting and very tender, Jersey Supreme is just as cold tolerant and disease resistant as Jersey Knight. Sorry, not available to California and Canada.
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