Asparagus


Asparagus is a long-term crop. Expect 15-year+ harvests from a well-prepared asparagus bed. Nothing tastes like homegrown asparagus and a productive bed is a real investment. Work on 7-10 plants per asparagus eater in your home.

Well-fed plants will produce the best; use a top dressing of compost every autumn and only cut top growth once the winter frosts have killed them off.


Starting from seed:

Start by planting your seed in seedling trays in spring/summer. Transplant into nursery beds for the first winter or two. They can be grown in situ for the first 2-3 years, but must be transplanted before the start of year 4. Once your plants are ready for transplant, dig a trench to at least spade depth, and fill with well-matured compost. Spread a spadeful of calcitic lime per running metre and fill to ground level.

Lift the asparagus crowns in June/July and separate them into individual plants. Using a spade, wedge open the bed and insert the crown with the roots in a fan shape. Space plants 30cm apart in full sun. Water well and fertilise with an organic fertiliser every Aug/Sept.

In the first year of transplant, do not harvest any spears.


Planting 3-year-old crowns:

Asparagus crowns are the best way to cut 3 years of effort in the garden. We grow them on Livingseeds Farm and then lift them while they are dormant in mid-winter. They are supplied bare-rooted and need to be planted in well-prepared soil without delay.

To prepare your soil, dig a trench to a spade's depth and lay some lime calcitic/dolomitic in the bottom, 100 g / running meter of Talborne Organics Bone Phos, some well-rotted compost as a food source, and 100 g / running meter of Talborne Organics Vita Grow. This will provide a great base for years of fantastic harvests.


Harvest periods:
  • 1 & 2 years old – do not harvest
  • 3 years old – 2 weeks
  • 4 years old – 4 weeks
  • 5 years old – 6 weeks
  • >5 years old – up to 8 weeks, but monitor vigour.

Over-harvesting will reduce your plants' lifespan.


Argenteuil

Argenteuil

Asparagus officinalisThis French heirloom, dating back to 1885, has rose-purple spears with tender t..

R34.59

Argenteuil (Crowns)

Argenteuil (Crowns)

Asparagus officinalisNote: These are properly aged and grown-out 3-year-old crowns. That means ..

R80.50

Mary Washington

Mary Washington

Asparagus officinalis Every year, asparagus will be the first spring harvest out of your garden. ..

R32.43

Mary Washington (Crowns)

Mary Washington (Crowns)

Asparagus officinalisNote: These are properly aged and grown-out 3-year-old crowns. That means you w..

R80.50

Sweet Purple

Sweet Purple

Asparagus officinalisDeveloped specifically for the speciality and gourmet market, this open-pollina..

R48.65

UC 72

UC 72

Asparagus officinalis Also known as Mary's Granddaughter, this variety was developed at the Universi..

R34.59

UC 72 (Crowns)

UC 72 (Crowns)

Asparagus officinalisNote: These are properly aged and grown-out 3-year-old crowns. That means you w..

R80.50

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