100 Seeds.
Other Names - Asparagus Spears…
This old heirloom asparagus variety dates back to 1949 and was developed in California, USA. It has excellent disease resistance. The variety Mary Washington produces good quality dark thick green spears with a subtle hint of purple on the spear tips. This variety has excellent resistance to rust.
Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds
Sowing Months - March
Harvest - 3 years later, mid April - mid June
Soil preparation is especially important when growing asparagus because the plant can be in the same ground for up to 20 years! Good drainage and a rich fertile soil is essential. Add a good amount of well rotted manure or compost a few months before planting. Remove any weeds especially perennial weeds from the bed. Lime if necessary. Add some general purpose organic fertilizer 1 - 2 weeks before sowing or planting.
General Information | Sowing & Planting Information | ||
---|---|---|---|
Habit | Perennial | Module Grown & Transplants | |
Type | Heritage variety | Distance between plants | 65 cm |
Position | Full sun | Distance between rows | 90 cm |
Average height | 200 cm | Direct Sowing | |
Average spread | 100 cm | Sowing distance between plants | 5 cm |
Hardiness | Fully Hardy | Distance between rows | 40 cm |
Overwintering | Yes | Sowing depth | 2 cm |
Soil Ph | 6.5 - 7.0 | Germination temperature | 15 to 25℃ |
Days to germination | 21 - 30 days |
Sow 2 - 3 seeds in a small 7 cm pot. Once germination starts move to an area with good daylight exposure, a windowsill or warm greenhouse is ideal. When the seedlings are big enough to handle thin to one strong seedling per pot. Keep the compost moist but avoid overwatering.
The plants will be ready to plant out into their final growing position in July (around 4 months later). Plant out at the distance suggested above. Asparagus are best grown in rectangular blocks rather than single rows. Firm the soil around each plant and water well.
Sow asparagus seeds outdoors in a well prepared seedbed then transplant into their final growing position the following spring. Sow 1 seed every 4 - 5 cm at the depth of 2 cm and at a row distance of 40 cm. Cover the seed with soil and water well. When the seedlings are big enough to handle thin to 15 cm between each plant. Water the plants well especially in dry weather.
Transplant the strongest asparagus plants into their final growing position the following March. It is advisable to grow asparagus in rectangular blocks rather than a single row. Transplant at the distance suggested above. Firm the soil around each transplant and water well.
Weed often to keep competing plants under control. The long fern like leaves may need additional support after the 3rd year as they will be growing taller by then as the plants grow stronger. Asparagus will benefit from an annual top dressing of compost or some well rotted manure during the autumn or winter months. In late autumn the dying yellow fern like leaves will need to be cut down with secateurs to about 2 - 3 cm above soil level.
Each spring add a surface dressing of general purpose organic fertilizer around the plants to help boost the new season growth. Traditional varieties produce berries over the season which if left, will drop to the ground and are often carried or excreted elsewhere by birds. To prevent asparagus spears popping up elsewhere in the garden remove the berries ideally before they fall to the ground.
The spears of newly planted asparagus plants should not be harvested for the first 3 years and should be left on the plants to develop into bushy fern like stems. If spears are harvested before the 3 years this may unfortunately weaken the development of the plant. However after the third year the asparagus spears can be harvested in abundance. Asparagus are best harvested when no longer than 10 - 15 cm in length as they tend to get tougher with age. To harvest, using a sharp knife cut the spear at soil level.
The speed of growth will be affected by temperature and in hot weather new spears may appear daily. Stop harvesting the spears in mid to late June. This will allow the remaining or any new spears to grow and develop into a fern which will help to build up the reserves of the plant for next years crop. Asparagus are best eaten within the hour of cutting however they can be kept in the fridge in a polythene bag for 2 - 3 days.
Late frost may damage the growing tips of some spears. Remove these damaged spears and if further frost is forecast cover the area with a double layer of horticultural fleece until all risk has passed.
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