Asparagus

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that will live from 12 to 15 years or longer. It is one of the most valuable of the early vegetables and is well adapted to freezer storage. During the harvest period (traditionally spring, but see below for summer harvest instructions), the spears develop daily from underground crowns. Asparagus does well where winters are cool and the soil occasionally freezes at least a few inches deep; it is considered very hardy.

Cultivation:  Asparagus requires a Ph around 7.  This is critical if the spears are to develop properly.  It is essential that a soil test be completed months before you want to plant the purchased crowns.  If the pH is NOT close to 7, adjust the soil per the recommendations from the soil test.  In this area, the soil pH is typically around 6 -6.5, so you would need to aid lime to raise the pH.  Please note that it takes about 3 months for the lime to adjust the soil pH.  Retest the soil in 3 months and readjust as necessary.  When the pH is in the proper range, dig a trench about 8-10 inches deep.  Place the crowns about 12 inches apart and cover with dirt.  Do not apply compost at this time.  After the spears come through the soil, mix compost and soil and cover the bottom of the trench.  Keep this up until the trench is level with the surrounding soil.  Mulch.  Keep moist.  You should not cut any spears the first year and let the plant mature and provide nutrients to the crowns.  During the second year you can cut the spears for about 2 weeks.  The third year for about 4 weeks.  Then during the fourth year, you may cut the spears for the full season, which is about 8 weeks.

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