The Mary Washington asparagus is a variety that produces long, deep-green spears with pale purple tips. Appreciated for its uniform size and delicious flavor, it is considered much tastier than the hybrid varieties. This traditional heirloom consists of both male and female stalks, so it tends to self-seed and multiply. Mary Washington asparagus stems are usually harvested from mid to late spring, making it one of the first crops to harvest.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Asparagus is a perennial all-star crop, emerging in the early spring and then lancing up tender spears to be harvested and enjoyed throughout the spring season. That being said, it may take up to three years to fully establish a perennial asparagus bed by seed. But, patience is a virtue and the reward will be sweet.

Start asparagus seeds indoors a couple months before the last frost. Plant seeds in seedling flats or small starter pots and cover lightly with soil, about 1-2 cm deep. Bottom water, or mist seeds from above. Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out and remains moist but not soggy. Use heating mats to keep the soil warm and lights, at least six hours a day, to prevent leggy seedlings.

Selecting your planting site in the garden will be crucial, a well-established bed can last for 20 years. Asparagus produces tall fronds that you don’t want shading other plants in the garden. This perennial bed should be located under full sun, in rich, well-drained soil. Avoid any low-lying areas to avert late frost damage or a waterlogged root system. Incorporate compost and till the soil to the depth of 30 cm before planting. The prominent root system will appreciate the ease in which it can extend through the loose soil.

Harden off the new plants outside for a couple weeks before transplanting, after the danger of frost has passed. To prepare the bed for transplants, dig a long trench or individual holes, about 15-20 cm deep. Plant rows about 30 cm apart.

Do not harvest any spears during the first season. The growth above the ground will feed the roots and help establish a permanent crop. The third year of growth is ideal to begin harvesting.

QUICK FACTS

- The first records of cultivation of asparagus were in ancient Egypt, over 5,000 years ago. Then the Greeks and the Romans cultivated the vegetable to eat it fresh when in season and dried it for use in the winter. By 1469, asparagus was cultivated in French monasteries but was little-noticed in England until the mid-1500s. Asparagus was brought to North America by European settlers around 1655. Asparagus has remained a popular vegetable for its delicious flavour and nutritional qualities, as well as its use in medicine due to its diuretic properties and purported function as an aphrodisiac.

- Asparagus is a perennial vegetable, which means you can harvest it every year without replanting. Asparagus beds can produce for 20 or more years.

- Asparagus seeds will remain viable for 3 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.