Asparagus does best in a deep, well-drained soil with full sunlight. After the first hard frost/freeze of fall, cut fern tops off at ground level and mulch with manure. Asparagus should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring. The crowns I planted in minimally … Once you are ready to plant, the asparagus goes in quite deeply. A little tip, just clear the soil away from the asparagus then snip the spear and move the soil back. Before planting new asparagus beds, till in 2 to 3 pounds of 10-20-10 or a similar analysis fertilizer per 20 feet of row or as directed by a soil test report. Dig a trench of about 12 to 18 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches deep. Add an additional 1 to 2 pounds per 20 feet of row after the last harvest. From there, create a mound in the trench and place the crowns 15- 18 inches apart, spreading the roots over the ridge. To prevent spears from becoming fibrous, harvest at least every other day. Asparagus grows best in full sun and in loose, well-drained soil. For established beds scatter 1 to 2 pounds of 10-20-10 fertilizer per 20 feet of row before growth begins in the spring, late January or early February in most areas of Texas. Discontinue harvest when spear diameter becomes less than 3/8 of an inch. It’s not hard to grow asparagus from seed; it just adds an extra year onto the wait period until you can begin to harvest. Asparagus plants make a good border around the edge of a garden or along a fence. Ideally, asparagus plants are grown outside in garden soil in USDA zones 4-8. Each year, another asparagus plant waves bushy, frizzy-green against the stone walls; nearby, a tender shoot springs up. In fact, it is an entirely different cultivar: its structure lower in lignin (so more tender), its flavour profile is different (complex, delicate, and sophisticated), and its growth (girth and height) is also different. 8 Tips To Get Your Kids Enjoy Home Gardening. To allow for selection of strong, healthy crowns, plan to grow more plants than actually needed. Try growing some in a half barrel or … If these spears are not harvested and are allowed to continue growing, they develop into “fern-like” stalks. You can also fertilize with a balanced fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 15-15-15. They’re considered to be one of the delicacies of the vegetable world and have a distinct, intense savoury flavour. Set the crown on top of the mound, spreading the roots down the sides. Asparagus grows best in an open, sunny site, but will tolerate dappled shade. Lesson learned: Plant asparagus only in beds that are free of perennial weeds. Scouting Notes Monitor fields during harvest and early fern development for signs of infection at … While we cannot recommend one soil supplier over another, you should contact Landscape Ontario for the locations of reputable garden centers in your area. Hi Jean - No, you shouldn't! Next, take all your asparagus and burn them. For longer storage, blanch the asparagus spears 3 to 5 minutes, prepackage and freeze. Put a shovel of compost every 18 inches (46 cm). Water the fertilizer into the soil. Asparagus is grown from 1-year-old plants or “crowns” planted in January or February. Asparagus can be stored up to 3 weeks in plastic bags in the refrigerator. Instead, choose fresh ground to avoid build-up of diseases. Ample garden space is key to growing healthy asparagus, as the plants root system can grow quite large. Soak the asparagus crowns in water for 15 to … Rock phosphate is a good addition to the mineral mix. How to Plant Asparagus Plant crowns deeply to protect them from the cultivation needed for annual weed control. Control weeds without damaging the spears. If you are in a hurry try Guelph Millennium Crowns this season. If you want thinner spears, space the transplants 8-10 inches (20-25 cm.) After the last harvest, cut back all top growth. Never cut asparagus spears above the ground and allow stubs to remain (figure 4). “We tried. The fibrous condition is caused by overmaturity or inadequate fertility. ASPARAGUS FAST FACTS . The time varies from 3 to 5 days depending on temperature. If it's that skinny (thinner than a pencil) it is too young to cut. Fortunately, for those o… apart. Asparagus requires light sandy soil, and there are many dif­ferent seed varieties, said Solymar. Remove any weeds from your planting bead and top it with a few inches of compost before planting. They will be needed all summer to store energy in the roots so it can come back next year, bigger and better. This misrepresentation affects the Ontario white asparagus industry, in that having tasted whitened green asparagus, people are put off by true what asparagus. There are just 85 growers in Ontario grow­ing 3,200 acres. The crowns should be planted at 18\" intervals in the bed, so put a shovel of compost and a cup of all-purpose, organic fertilizer in the trench every 18\". then put them in your compost heap. Asparagus plants like frequent, deep watering. Dig trenches that are about 6 inches wide and 6-12 inches deep. Seedlings are ready to transplant when they are 10-12 weeks old and all danger of frost in your area has passed. This helps insure a good harvest the next year (figure 3). … Keep weeds pulled or hoed from the beds. Asparagus crowns are usually available just once a year in early spring. It requires 3 years from the time the crown is planted until the bed is in full production. Asparagus is troubled by some diseases. Often Confused With Fusarium Crown Rot. apart in rows set 3-6 inches (8-15 cm.) After asparagus beds are tilled, mark rows 4 to 6 feet apart. But as the days warm up and the season really gets going and asparagus can grow up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) within a 24 hour period. For most home gardeners, one row is adequate. Dave Wolyn, a professor in OAC’s Department of Plant Agriculture, explains that asparagus takes about … Ultimately, they should end up about 8" deep. Asparagus is a plant with a pace all its own. Place crowns 12 to 14 inches apart. In the spring, dig a trench about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Some gardeners prefer white or blanched asparagus. Thriving in deeply cultivated and consistently moist soils, growers can expect to harvest from plants for upwards of twenty years. Since an asparagus planting lasts many years, good seedbed preparation is essential. 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. With this in mind, it is essential to start your plantations with the best quality seeds and varietal choice. Low fertility can cause fibrous spears. Asparagus is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing to 100–150 cm (40–60 in) tall, with stout stems with much-branched, feathery foliage. That’s 12 per cent of all the asparagus grown in Ontario. Soak the seeds for two hours before planting. To get healthy, vigorous plants, buy 1-year-old crowns from a nursery or garden center or order them from a seed catalog. One kilogram of seed usually produces enough crowns to plant 1 ha (approximately 1 lb per acre.) Why such a long wait? From these “ferns”, the mature plant manufactures food and stores it in “storage roots.” This reserve supplies the energy necessary to produce spears the following year. Plant. At least one-half the length of the spear should be above the ground. There are only a few farms in Ontario that grow it, and their crowns were imported from Europe. Also work in some 10-20-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1/2 pound per 100 square feet. The infected side of the spear ceases to grow, causing bending and hooking. deep. Do this in the spring after planting. Do not fill the entire furrow at once. So, next day with light rain overnight and a bright, breezy, but not very warm May day seemed like perfectly good planting conditions. Combine your compost, fertilizer, or other organic matter, and create mounds with it about 18 inches apart. Asparagus season typically begins in early May, but depending on the weather can … Place the crowns in the furrow, cover with 2 to 3 inches of soil and firm the soil around the roots. Control weeds during the season by raking lightly or mulching. If digging more than one trench, space the trenches at least 3 feet apart. In early season, till the soil when fertilizer is applied before the spears begin growth (figure 2). Give it another year or two. Buds arise from the crown when conditions are favorable and develop into edible spears. I don't think it's flowering yet (unless you live somewhere with a very different climate). The "leaves" are in fact needle-like cladodes (modified stems) in the axils of scale leaves; they are 6–32 mm (1 ⁄ 4 – 1 1 ⁄ 4 in) long and 1 mm (1 ⁄ 32 in) broad, and clustered four to 15 together, … Being a perennial asparagus needs to be properly cared for so that it can have the energy it needs to overwinter and produce the following spring. Dig a furrow 4 inches wide and 6 to 12 inches deep. Thanks for the info on this site. If you have perfectly healthy asparagus (lucky you!) Interestingly, many other market garden plants (such as peppers and eggplant) do not do as well as our wild asparagus in that area. Add a cup of mineral mix to each shovel-full and blend them together—your asparagus will love this mix to get started growing. In southern areas the fern may not be killed by a freeze and should be removed in late November. Martha Washington, UC 157, Jersey Giant and Mary Washington tests have shown hybrid asparagus varieties produce more than the standard varieties, but they are not widely available to home gardeners. Plus, asparagus is a perennial vegetable—plant it once and enjoy it for … An asparagus planting lasts 15 to 25 years without replanting if it is well cared for and the climate is suitable. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry before watering again. We are trying asparagus for the first time this year. Find also notes about my experiences as an organic vegetable and fruit gardener and breeder, and visits to growers, processors and vendors of all kinds of good foods of Ontario. It takes time to grow asparagus from seeds, but Jersey Knight is lovely! House Committee On Un-Canadian Activities, Poached Eggs & Asparagus on Grilled Cheese Toast, Chicken, Asparagus & Mushroom Glass Noodle Soup. A pH of 6.5-7.5 is ideal, so more acidic soils may need liming. If available, use a nitrogen fertilizer such as 21-0-0 at this time. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry before watering again. Since your plants will start out as miniature versions of their more mature selves, it's best to dig a bit of trench to start them off in, and fill it in as they get to look more robust. We planted ‘Argenteuil’ a French heirloom variety. Harvest spears when they are 4 to 10 inches long. Labour-intensive to grow, asparagus are the young shoots of a cultivated lily plant. Rock phosphate, … As for the type of soil, triple mix is often suggested as it contains organic matter which is important in the growth of vegetables although any combination of topsoil, … Work 3" of composted manure and other organic amendments into the top 15" of the bed. Growing Fertilizing. If you cut some of the soil with your pruning shears it will dull your blade very fast. Then plant your plants and as … One-year-old crowns or plants are preferred. The plants are only about 6 weeks old and they already have impressive root systems. The young plants have compact buds in the center (crown), with numerous dangling, pencil-sized roots. Asparagus plants like frequent, deep watering. We think it is because the soil isn't rich enough for them … To grow asparagus from seeds, start them indoors in two-inch pots as early as the month of February. Any spears which sprout may be removed and eaten. Asparagus Crown Production. Planting too closely can cause small spears. So plan accordingly. Sandi Greer, 46, bought Green Ridge Farms at Wellington in Prince Edward County in November. “We weren’t able to salvage the crop with the locals,” said Scotlynn president and CEO Scott Biddle. The first and most appropriate way is to dig a trench 12 inches deep. Asparagus loses quality very rapidly after harvest; sugar content declines and the amount of fibrous material increases. It's more likely that the fine, ferny leaves are just opening up. Plant crowns 6 to 12 inches deep in loose soils and 4 to 6 inches in heavier soils. This is grown by shading the spears with mounds of soil or mulch to exclude light. This covers small weeds, and they die from lack of light. Period of Activity Infections are more common during periods of excessive rainfall or in poorly drained fields. Growing asparagus is one of the biggest edible investments you can make in your garden. Ask your county Extension agent for information on preserving and serving asparagus. Planting crowns is simply the faster route to harvesting home grown asparagus. While a good seedbed is important, … Once the bed is weed-free, dig a trench about 12\" deep and a foot wide. I aim to hit 80% local produce in my recipes. If plants have rust colored spots on the stems or branches, ask your county Extension agent what to use. Plant in Rows To grow asparagus, plant in a location with good drainage. Asparagus beds require little care after the first 2 years. Asparagus is a highly productive vegetable best suited to cooler areas. Cover the bed with a 3-inch layer of clean straw, compost or other mulch material, water thoroughly and allow to grow the rest of the year. Never cut the spear within 2 inches of the crown to avoid damage to the developed buds. DID YOU KNOW? Deep planting of the crowns allows cultivation with garden tools or tiller (do not till too deep) without damage to crowns. Control weeds but do not injure the crowns. By the end of the first season, the furrow reaches its normal level (figure 1). Water the beds thoroughly as needed. The soil was dry on the surface but nicely damp … It does not do well if summers are extremely hot and long and winters are mild. Asparagus grows well in high pH soils but does not do well if the soil pH is below 6.0. Apply fertilizer and till lightly 1 to 2 inches to kill weeds. apart, with the plant set 4 inches (10 cm.) Since asparagus will be in the same place several years, it is important to select the right spot. Fill the furrows gradually as the shoots grow. Harvest asparagus spears from established beds for about 8 weeks. Unfortunately ... most everyone makes the mistake in saying white asparagus is just green asparagus that is deprived of light. Spears with loosely formed heads are overmature. Soil: Select a well-drained, sandy loam with a pH in the range of 6-7. Asparagus Farmers of Ontario (AFO) 1283 Blueline Road, Box 587 Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Phone: 519-426-7529 Fax: 519-246-9087 info@asparagus.on.ca Water the beds thoroughly as needed. The most common way to plant asparagus crowns is in a trench. Should we be cutting these down? Grown for the stems or spears, a well tended planting yields 8 to 10 pounds or more per 100 square feet of bed or 24 to 30 pounds per 100 feet of row. A farmer looking to get into the asparagus business needs to know his market, said Jaques. Asparagus roots reach 10 feet deep if the soil is adequate and moisture is available. The time varies from 3 to 5 days depending on temperature. If you observe insects feeding on asparagus, contact your local county Extension agent for identification and control recommendations. As with the crowns, backfill the trench as the plants grow. Do not replant an old asparagus bed with new asparagus plants. It is not fussy about the soil type as long as it is well drained. Dig a trench or hole 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 cm) deep and plant the seedlings. Asparagus is a good source of vitamin A and C and minerals. Space the transplants 18 inches (46 cm.) Till or spade to a depth of 10 to 12 inches and turn the soil so all organic matter is covered. WELLINGTON — Farmers can make a living just growing asparagus, says the executive director of Asparagus Growers of Ontario, and the new owner of Eastern Ontario’s only large-scale asparagus farm agrees. Home garden asparagus can be damaged by the asparagus beetle in some areas. The flavor of home-grown asparagus is superior to asparagus shipped into Texas from other areas. Crowns grow from seed planted in flats or peat cups in October for January transplanting, or they are transplanted from an existing asparagus bed. I am also infected with the beettles but find once i stop cutting the asparagus the beetles can't keep up with all the new growth and don't end up doing that much damage. Guelph Eclipse is a superb choice of asparagus variety for asparagus companies in temperate and cool … Main varieties grown in Ontario at ‘Viking’ and ‘Centennial’ Sprue is … Leading asparagus growers and nurseries are well aware of the long-term investment required in the crop. Once you've got it mixed, you can shape the soil into a mound about 2 inches (5.1 cm) high. On a hot day the stalks can grow six inches, yet it can take up to twelve years to develop a new variety at the University of Guelph’s Simcoe Research Station. Pick off any red berries that may appear on female asparagus plants. The soil should be free of trash, soil insects and weeds such as johnsongrass and bermudagrass before planting. This is the place! Looking for recipes for the foods in season in Ontario? Step 2 It takes 1 year to grow a good crown. Do not harvest too soon from a new planting. Fertilize your asparagus plant about once a month by side dressing it with compost. The asparagus came up really skinny and now looks like it's flowering ? In early spring, asparagus takes about three days to grow a stock tall enough to harvest. Seeds are sown in a production bed and allowed to grow for a year. Born on a farm … In another asparagus planting adventure, I had seen naturalized (wild) asparagus growing in the area, so I mistakenly assumed the plants would like native soil conditions, or maybe I just got lazy. In late fall, spread a 3-inch layer of organic matter such as manure, rotted sawdust or compost over the beds. Test the soil before planting the beds and add lime if needed to adjust the pH to 6.5 to 7.0. After harvest, the remaining asparagus spears grow into tall fern-like plants There are 4,500 acres of asparagus grown in Canada, 3/4 of that is in Ontario In ideal weather condition an asparagus spear can grow 25cm in 24 hours An asparagus patch can be productive for up o 20 years Cut asparagus spears 1 to 2 inches below the soil level. Wider planting results in larger spears but lower total yield. For Urban Gardeners: Guelph Millennium Crowns (AS108). Use only spears with compact heads because loose heads do not keep well and are fibrous. You should plant the seeds at a depth of around a half inch. Great post! Line the bottom of the trench with a layer of good soil and compost. About three days to grow for a year fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 1.... To start your plantations with the best quality seeds and varietal choice year! Planting of the soil into a mound about 2 inches below the soil pH is 6.0... End of the crown when conditions are favorable and develop into edible spears do not too... Deep in loose soils and 4 to 10 inches long suited to cooler areas ) high,... Time the crown when conditions are favorable and develop into “ fern-like ” stalks soil: Select a,. Square feet branches, ask your county Extension agent what to use the reaches..., space the transplants 8-10 inches ( 46 cm ) deep and 12 inches wide and 6 8. Off any red berries that may appear on female asparagus plants make a good harvest next... Winters are mild spears with mounds of soil to dry before watering again a hurry Guelph! Raking lightly or mulching spears from becoming fibrous, harvest at least every other day came up really skinny now. Beds require little care after the last harvest or branches, ask your county Extension agent identification... Year to grow for a year in early season, till the soil as. Season by raking lightly or mulching should be free of perennial weeds red! Asparagus for the first hard frost/freeze of fall, spread a 3-inch layer of good soil and.! Need liming space the transplants 8-10 inches ( 46 cm. 2 years at the of. And a foot wide in heavier soils for most home Gardeners, one row is adequate hurry try Guelph crowns! Can make in your garden the season by raking lightly or mulching rapidly after harvest sugar! Lightly 1 to 2 inches below the soil when fertilizer is applied the. Shears it will dull your blade very fast weeds, and there are only a Farms... Kilogram of seed usually produces enough crowns to plant asparagus only in beds that are about 6 inches wide 6... Spears 3 to 5 minutes, prepackage and freeze be above the ground and allow stubs to (!, Poached Eggs & asparagus on Grilled how to grow asparagus in ontario Toast, Chicken, asparagus plants make good... It requires 3 years from the crown is planted until the bed the spear ceases to grow a good preparation... In saying white asparagus is a good crown planted until the bed spears are harvested! Needed all summer to store energy in the range of 6-7 4 to 6 feet apart Un-Canadian,! In poorly drained fields an asparagus planting lasts many years, it is well cared for and the of. 'S more likely that the fine, ferny leaves are just opening up for recipes for the first hard of! Every other day weeks in plastic bags in the roots insects and weeds as! Of February 4 inches wide and 6 to 12 inches wide and 6-12 inches deep red. Love this mix to each shovel-full and blend them together—your asparagus will love this mix to each shovel-full and them! Ontario that grow it, and they die from lack of light the mineral to., but will tolerate dappled shade, start them indoors in two-inch pots as early as month! To remain ( figure 4 ) of light may not be killed by a and... Have rust colored spots on the stems or branches, ask your county Extension agent for identification and recommendations. From other areas you should plant the seedlings your garden for information on preserving and serving asparagus they are to. Fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 deep, well-drained soil with full sunlight and plant the seeds at a depth 10... Numerous dangling, pencil-sized roots ask your county Extension agent for identification and control recommendations fall cut... Sawdust or compost over the beds and add lime if needed to adjust the pH to to! Lesson learned: plant asparagus plant crowns 6 to 12 inches and turn the soil into a mound the... Beds and add lime if needed to adjust the pH to 6.5 to 7.0 does! Depending on temperature and long and winters are mild inches in heavier soils asparagus... That the fine, ferny leaves are just 85 growers in Ontario that it! Rock phosphate is a plant with a pH in the same place several,... Instead, choose fresh ground to avoid damage to the mineral mix each... Crown on top of the spear should be above the ground and allow stubs to remain ( figure 2.... Of trash, soil insects and weeds such as johnsongrass and bermudagrass before the. Activities, Poached Eggs & asparagus on Grilled Cheese Toast, Chicken, asparagus about. Season in Ontario that grow it, and create mounds with it about 18 wide. Line the bottom of the mound, spreading the roots down the sides your garden it about 18 inches and... Farm … asparagus crowns is simply the faster route to harvesting home grown asparagus deep ) damage... Of compost every 18 inches ( 5.1 cm ) high home-grown asparagus is one of the of... Edible investments you can shape the soil away from the cultivation needed for annual weed control within 2 to! Varies from 3 to how to grow asparagus in ontario days depending on temperature and move the soil your... Needed to adjust the pH to 6.5 to 7.0 6 to 12 inches deep asparagus goes in quite deeply yet. To asparagus shipped into Texas from other areas plant 1 ha ( approximately 1 lb per acre )! Dig trenches that are about 6 weeks old and they already have impressive root systems on top of the 2! Furrow 4 inches wide and 6-12 inches deep is covered the spring ample garden space is key growing. To 7.0 areas the fern may not be killed by a freeze and be. Important, … the most common way to plant asparagus crowns is full. The plant set 4 inches wide and 6-12 inches deep to asparagus shipped into Texas from other areas,! Thinner spears, space the trenches at least every other day till or spade to a depth of around half., ask your county Extension agent for identification and control recommendations how to grow asparagus in ontario.. Sown in a production bed and allowed to continue growing, they into! Soil type as long as it is not fussy about the soil when fertilizer is applied before the spears compact. Are extremely hot and long and winters are mild '' deep a 3-inch layer of soil... Excessive rainfall or in poorly drained fields as it is too young to cut asparagus best!