Conflicting Asparagus information - Questions!

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I'm in zone 6a in NY. I've planted and replanted a couple of Jersey varieties of asparagus roots in the same spot because they never did well - few plants survived and yield was low. Not sure why, but probably because I didn't do much maintenance or fertilization. I built a new bed last fall and filled it with purchased compost, which still isn't very well broken down. I'll do a soil test as soon as I can and fertilize accordingly. Any recommendations what kind of fertilizer does best for asparagus? I've never used any fertilizers except natural ones, like bone meal, rock phosphates, greensand, etc., but I'd consider something like Garden Tone if it'll make a difference.

There's a lot of conflicting information out there. Most sources recommend the male Jersey roots, citing a slew of reasons why they're superior. 1) First question: are they really? Or is it product hype? Do they taste as good, are they as hardy/long lasting as the Mary Washington type? If they're so superior, why do most nurseries still offer Mary Washington heirlooms? In general, which taste best? I prefer thick ones. 2) In your experience, what spacing is really ideal? I see everything from 14" on center with no rows to minimum of 5 feet between rows! My bed is 5' x 15'. Should I try for two rows, or just plant them x number of inches apart throughout the bed? 3) Are one-, two- or three- year old roots best for planting, and why, aside from the amount of time you're willing to wait to harvest. Does one age do better than the others? 4) Are seed planted asparagus healthier?

Thank you!!

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Comments (5)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
5 years ago
I prefer the taste and tenderness of the purple varieties like Purple Passion to any of the green types I have grown (MW, Jersey Knight, and Jersey Supreme). PP also has the ticker spears than any of the green varieties.

I think you will want to add some good top soil to the compost you have already added to the bed. It is better to start with a good, complete soil since gus is hard to amend after planting.

I have 2 rows in my 4x10 beds so I'd advise 12-14" spacing with 2 rows in your 5'x15' bed with the rows 15" from each edge leaving 2.5' between rows. You may eventually have trouble reaching in to harvest spears if they are right in the middle of the bed but that will be a few years down the road.

Both Nourse farms and Debruyn seeds sell Purple Passion and the Jersey varieties and they are both 2 year roots. I'd be leery of transplanting older roots. Debruyn is the cheaper of the 2 but they charge shipping and Nourse has free shipping right now I believe. You should be able to fit 25-30 in that bed.

good luck!
vanellopy
5 years ago
The jersey giant ones are recommended by articles for the following reasons (based on my research since I'm planning to plant some):

1. They are mostly male so they don't waste energy growing flowers like the Mary Washington ones. Also because they don't need to grow flowers and seeds, they put more energy into growing itself and thus thicker spears

2. They are one of the newer improved varieties (Mary washington is the old one), where they are more disease resistant and some other resistant

For the age of crown, 1 article i mentioned before said an one year old crown is more adaptive than a 2 yr old crown. But i only see 2 yr old crowns being sold lately. Lastly, seed is better than crown because it will establish better from the start, but the wait is longer.
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fireweed22
5 years ago
Look up millennium asparagus. It’s a newer variety that out competes jersey and Washington. Mine is about 5 years old and doing great.
kitasei2
5 years ago
When I learned that female asparagus plants are low-yielding, I decided to cull them. I won't know which they are until they flower. In the meantime I did get lots of self seeded new ones to transplant. In a few years I should have an ample bed of males.
tetrazzini
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all for this helpful information. I'm glad you are having success with Millennium, fireweed, because I was considering them but hesitated since I hadn't heard of them. I ordered them this morning. As for topsoil, LoneJack, I agree - I guess I'll dig up some from the woods. I didn't think growing in pure purchased compost (as opposed to my own) was a good idea but it would have been too hard to fill the bed any other way. Thanks again!