Asparagus is a perennial vegetable harvested in the spring. Begin with healthy, disease resistant crowns and plant from mid-March through mid-April. Crowns should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart with the crown buds seven to eight inches below the soil surface. Once established, asparagus is fairly hardy to stress but it does require full sun and well-drained soil.
During year one, do not harvest asparagus spears. Each year after, harvest regularly before the spears reach 10 inches tall. Snap the spears at about ½ to ¾ inch above the soil surface. Stop harvesting after 6-7 weeks when the spears only reach the diameter of a pencil or smaller. Store the harvested spears in the refrigerator and use soon after harvest.
Asparagus should be fertilized in early spring and weed regularly to reduce competition.
