Asparagus

Cooler areas will reap better production.

Varieties used in Georgia are Mary Washington, Reading, Giant and Palmetto. It's advisable to buy root stock for asparagus rather than planting seed. This saves a year of growing time.

Asparagus can be grown in Georgia, but the spears produced by the plants will be slim and the harvest period will be short. Generally, our climate is too hot for good asparagus production. So, the chances of producing asparagus are much better in the northern part of the state than in the southern part.

Asparagus is a perennial crop, which means it will come back year after year without replanting.

The variety of asparagus most often recommended for Georgia is Mary Washington. This variety seems to be resistant to the rust fungus. Other varieties used in Georgia are Reading, Giant and Palmetto. It's advisable to buy root stock for asparagus rather than planting seed. This saves a year of growing time.

To plant asparagus…

You should plant one-year-old crowns in the fall or winter. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot for your permanent asparagus bed. Plant the crowns by draping the roots over a heavily composted mound. Then cover the crowns with two or three inches of loamy soil. Rows should be about three-to-four feet apart and the plants should be about one-to-one-and-a-half feet apart on the rows.

While you're preparing the bed for the plants, mix in one pound or one pint of 8-24-24 fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden.

Asparagus plants need several years of growth before they can tolerate being harvested. The one year-old fall-planted crowns are not to be harvested the following spring.

Harvesting asparagus…

Harvest three-year-old plants lightly, about every one-to-two weeks. This will allow the remaining spears that develop to produce the "fern-like" growth. Harvest four-year-old plants for two to three weeks. Harvest five year old or older plants four to five weeks.

Extensive harvesting any given year will cause the plant to produce a very poor crop the following year and it will shorten the life of the plants. Encourage maximum fern-like growth after the harvest period until frost with adequate watering, light fertilization each month and proper care.

Keep weed free…

Mulch your asparagus plants early and at harvest's end to cool the crowns. Such cooling may extend the harvest period. Beds must be kept free of weeds and grasses because asparagus will not tolerate much competition.

Recommended herbicides…

Four herbicides are recommended for controlling weeds and grasses around asparagus. They are dalapon, simazine, trifluralin and metribuzin. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the container.

For more information on asparagus contact your local County Extension Office.