For example, if you have 10 crowns, dig a 10-foot long trench. The length of the trench should be as long as the number of crowns being planted. It will be returned to the trench several weeks later as the ferns grow. As the soil is removed from the trench, set it directly to the side. In heavy clay soils, make the furrows more shallow (6-8 inches) and deeper (10-12 inches) for very sandy soil. Then, dig a 6-12 inch deep furrow (trench) for the crowns to be planted into. Prepare the planting area as described above. When ordering crowns online, select a delivery date close to when you hope to plant, and refrigerate the crowns until planting. In Minnesota, asparagus is planted between early May and early June. Continuous use of high phosphorus fertilizers such as 10-10-10 or 15-30-15, or high rates of manure or compost can result in phosphorus buildup in the soil that impacts soil and plant health over time.ĭo not use any fertilizer containing an herbicide (such as a "Weed and Feed" product), as it may kill your vegetable plants.įollowing correct planting methods for asparagus is important for this long-lived perennial crop. Avoid adding unnecessary amounts of phosphorus to the soil beyond what the soil tests recommend. If your soil test shows that the garden is high in phosphorus, use a low-phosphorus fertilizer such as 32-3-10, 27-3-3, or 25-3-12, or use a non-phosphorus fertilizer such as 30-0-10 or 24-0-15 at the rate of a half pound per 100 square feet. Do not allow the tool to penetrate the soil more than an inch deep, to avoid harming the underground portions of the plants. Only add these inputs if they are needed according to the soil test.Īdd the fertilizer alongside the row of plants and scratch it in lightly. After the asparagus patch is established, fertilizer, compost or composted manure can be added either in early spring before spear emergence, or after harvest in late June or early July. Once an asparagus patch is established, it is best to test the soil every three years and follow the test recommendations before adding nutrients. If you don't have a soil test report, the typical garden fertilizer rate for asparagus is to apply 1 to 1.5 pounds of 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium fertilizer (10-10-10) per 100 square feet before planting. Nitrogen should be added after planting, once the crowns begin growing. It is best to add part of the fertilizer in the fall or spring before planting, but about half of the phosphorus and potassium should be added at the time of planting. Add recommended fertilizer based on the soil test results. ![]() ![]() It can grow in heavy, medium, or sandy soils, as long as the soils must be well-drained and do not exhibit pooling water after rains.īefore planting asparagus, have your soil tested to see if the soil has the right amount of nutrients for asparagus to thrive. Soil pH and fertility for asparagusĪsparagus grows best in well-drained soils with a pH between 6.5 to 7.0 and does not tolerate extremely acidic soils. It is important to take care of the ferns even after the harvest is over to make sure you will have good future harvests. The fern creates energy that will be stored in the underground portion of the plant to produce the following year’s spears. Asparagus harvest is only two months instead of the entire season because the plants need time for the ferns to grow and build up energy for the next year. These buds and roots are called “crowns.” If spears are left to grow, they develop leaves and are called ferns. The spears emerge from underground buds at the base of the root system. These are technically the stems of the plants. The edible parts of the plant are called the spears. It is one of the few perennial vegetables grown in Minnesota others include horseradish and rhubarb. How asparagus growsĪsparagus is a unique crop. In the peak of asparagus season, asparagus spears can grow up to 2 inches per day, producing bountiful harvests for gardeners to enjoy. The asparagus harvest season lasts about 6 to 8 weeks, from early May to late June in Minnesota. Asparagus spears are crisp, tender and flavorful. Asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis) is one of the earliest harvested vegetables each spring.
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