Asparagus

Varieties - Mary Washington, Jersey Giant

Cultural Requirements

• Good soil preparation essential
• Remove all perennial weeds
• Free draining sandy loam ideal
• Dig in peat / compost in clay soils to assist drainage – raised planting in heavy wet soils, best methods
• Dig furrow 30cm wide, 20-25cm deep
• Work in General Garden Food, 100gm/m²
• Leave 1 metre between rows
• Plant crowns at 40cm spacings
• Cover with 5cm of soil
• Gradually fill in furrow as young spears appear
• Leave top of spear showing above soil

Harvesting

• Do not cut spears in first 2 years
• spears 3cm below soil surface when 15-22cm long
• In third year cut spears over 2 week period
• Expand this out to a 10 week period mid September – end of November after about 5 years
• Plants go into fern stage early December onwards
• As fern turns yellow at end of April cut down and remove
• Asparagus is a perennial and will last in ground for up to 20 years

Pests & Diseases

• Asparagus is generally unaffected by many pests and diseases
• Can sometimes be affected by slugs and snails and rust

Pest & Disease Control

• McGregor’s Slug and Snail pellets
• Shield
  

Varieties

• Mary Washington 500
  Standard variety
  Reliable producer
• Jersey Giant
  Outstanding new American variety
  Produces large, juicy tender stems
  Easily grown
  3-4 times more production per plant