If it has been grown for over 2500 years you know it has to be a good thing. Asparagus is one of the early spring vegetables that not only is good for you, as it is high in nutrients and contains no fat, or cholesterol, it also tastes good. It would taste even better if it came from your own garden. Asparagus can be grown in Prince George but it does take some work and patience but it does pay off in the long term.

 

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable and will produce for many years if it is planted right and gets the right growing conditions. They can be started from seed but are most commonly grown from crowns which are two years old giving you a head start. The crowns become available in the garden centre over the spring. Because asparagus will be growing in the same place for many years you want to pick the right location. They like loose, sandy, good draining soil that is slightly alkaline, with good winter drainage, and a sunny location.

 

When planting them in the vegetable garden place them towards the side of the garden where they will not be in the way of yearly tilling, such as beside the rhubarb, and berries. When the site has been chosen the soil should be prepared. Remove any weeds and till or work the soil mixing in compost, to a depth of two feet. The next step would be to dig a trench 10-12 inches deep and wide. Sprinkle a small amount of bone meal in the bottom of the trench before placing the crown in the bottom of the trench, evenly spreading the roots. Cover the crown with 2 inches of soil and then give it a good drink of water.

 

As the plant grows continue to add soil to the trench making sure not to entirely cover the green stems. Continue to do this until a raised bed is made. For better drainage dig a small drench around the bed to keep excess water away. Asparagus prefer consistent moisture so water during dry conditions. Give a through, deep water weekly, rather then short shallow water every day.

 

Once the plant has become established they are fairly low maintenance. You want to keep the weeds down, but be careful not to harm the asparagus roots so don’t hoe or till the soil too deep. They are heavy feeders and should be fed in the spring when dormancy breaks and then once again in early summer using an all purpose fertilizer.

 

When to harvest, is where the patience comes in. Do not harvest for the first year and then only a few stalks for 2-3 weeks in the second year. It will take 3-4 years before the plants are in full production and then they can be harvested for 4-6 weeks. Harvest when the stalks are 5-7 inches tall and before the tips begin to open. Break or cut the spear at ground level being careful not to harm the roots under the ground. The spears that are not harvested will grow into tall ferns 4-6 feet tall. These need to be left to die back naturally in the fall because through photosynthesis, energy is stored in the roots and crown for next years crop. Without the fern you will not get a good crop of spears the following year.

 

Growing your own asparagus in an investment of time and if cared for properly you will be able to harvest asparagus for many years to come. There are two varieties that we have been selling for many years in the garden centre. They are ‘Jersey Knight’ and ‘Mary Washington’ and both have done very well in our zone 3, Prince George climate. They are available, already growing in pots, and only need to be taken out of the pot and put into the trench following the same planting method.