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To plant asparagus crowns, dig trenches 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep (8 inches in sandy soil) down the center of the prepared bed. Soak the crowns in compost tea for 20 minutes before planting. Place the crowns in the trenches 1½ to 2 feet apart; top them with 2 to 3 inches of soil.
How do you start an asparagus patch?
Asparagus plants can be started from seed by planting them indoors about eight weeks before the last frost date in your area or directly into the garden outdoors three weeks before the last frost date. If you plant the seed directly into the garden bed, be sure that soil temperatures are at 77 degrees or higher.
How long does it take to establish an asparagus bed?
The seedlings themselves require several weeks to reach two inches in height, the size right for transplanting into a growing bed. It takes three to four years for a young plant to develop the maturity needed to support annual harvests that last four to six weeks.
How do you start an asparagus bed from seed?
Soak seeds in water for 2 days before sowing 2.5cm (1″) deep and 12.5cm (5″) apart in rows 45 to 60cm (18-24″) apart. Thin the seedlings to 15cm (6″) apart when they are 7.5cm (3″) tall. During mid-spring in the second year, transplant the 1 year old roots 45cm (18″) apart in rows 1m (40″) apart.
Should I soak my asparagus roots before planting?
Planting crowns will establish your asparagus bed faster so that you can harvest the asparagus sooner. Soak it in tepid water for two to three hours before you’re ready to plant. Asparagus planting instructions recommend that you plant the crowns 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm.) apart.
How do you grow asparagus from bare root?
Bare Root Asparagus Amend the soil with a planting mix like Soil Booster. Dig a trench 8-10” deep. Place asparagus crowns 12” apart spreading roots over the mound. Cover crowns with 2” of soil. As tips emerge fill soil around them. It takes asparagus 2-3 years to reach maturity.
What month do you plant asparagus?
Plant asparagus in spring or fall in a sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Asparagus takes a few seasons to mature but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 years, so choose a planting location that will go undisturbed for a long time.
How do you grow asparagus in a raised bed?
Most of today’s asparagus crowns need to be planted six-inches deep. To plant them in a raised bed, just fill the bed with six inches of soil (half way, if your bed is a foot deep). Then, lay the crowns a foot apart, and spread the roots out around them, like you see here.
Can you propagate asparagus from cuttings?
Asparagus can be grown from cuttings by dividing the crown or root of the plant. Each of the plant cuttings is then treated as an individual plant. Growing asparagus from cuttings will save you a lot of time and you’ll be able to select the strongest segments.
Can you plant asparagus too deep?
Cultivating too deep, or at the wrong time in the season, can damage the crowns and emerging spears. There are two times when asparagus beds can be cultivated: Before the spears come up in the spring, and after all of the spears are harvested but before ferns come up in late June.
How much asparagus do you get from one plant?
Each plant produces about 1/2 pound of asparagus spears each year, so plan on planting about five to 20 plants per person, advises the University of California.
Can you direct sow asparagus seeds?
Asparagus seed can also be direct sowed when the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F. Plant seeds 3/4 to one inch deep. Gently firm the soil and keep it evenly moist while the seeds germinate. Seedlings can emerge in 10 to 14 days when the soil temperature is 75 degrees F.
When should I start asparagus seeds?
Taking three weeks to germinate and slow to get going, the asparagus seeds should be sown indoors 12 to 14 weeks before the target seedling set-out date, which should be after the danger of frost has passed.
What is the best time to plant asparagus seeds?
It’s recommended that you start asparagus seeds indoors or in a greenhouse in mid-February to May under bright lighting. Soil temperatures for seed germination should be between 70 and 85 degrees F. (21-29 C.).
Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?
Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7, which is mildly acidic. Coffee grounds can run 5 or less on the pH scale by themselves. The grounds also add some nitrogen, which is a regular nutrition need of asparagus.
Does asparagus like sun or shade?
Site – Full sun is ideal. Asparagus needs at least 8 hours of sun per day. Since asparagus is a long-lived perennial, do not plant where trees or tall shrubs might eventually shade the plants or compete for nutrients and water.
What can you not plant near asparagus?
There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus: Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth. Potatoes. Asparagus, on the other hand, stunts the growth of potatoes when they share the same space.
