Overview

Embark on a culinary journey by planting Asparagus Mary Washington in your home garden. This classic variety is celebrated for its vigorous growth, high yields, and delicious, tender spears. What you receive are 10 two-year-old crowns, which are essentially mature root systems, ensuring a faster establishment and earlier harvest compared to planting from seed. Asparagus Mary Washington is a perennial vegetable, meaning once planted, it will return year after year, providing fresh asparagus for decades with proper care. It’s an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to add a long-term, productive crop to their landscape. This heirloom variety is particularly noted for its resistance to common asparagus diseases, making it a reliable and rewarding investment for your edible garden.

This particular offering of asparagus crowns provides a significant head start. Two-year-old crowns are robust and well-developed, reducing the waiting period for your first substantial harvest. Imagine harvesting your own succulent, green asparagus spears right from your backyard, knowing they are fresh, organic, and bursting with flavor. Planting perennial asparagus is a commitment that pays dividends in fresh food and gardening satisfaction for many seasons to come. The ‘Mary Washington’ strain is a time-tested favorite, renowned for its consistent performance and superior taste.

Key Benefits

Adding Asparagus Mary Washington to your garden brings a multitude of advantages:

• Sustainable Harvest: As a perennial plant, these asparagus crowns will produce fresh spears for 15-20 years or more from a single planting. This eliminates the need for annual replanting, saving you time and effort while providing a continuous supply of fresh vegetables.
• Superior Flavor and Nutrition: Homegrown Asparagus Mary Washington offers a taste far superior to store-bought varieties. Its fresh, crisp texture and sweet, earthy flavor are unmatched. Asparagus is also packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, as well as folate, iron, and potassium, making it a highly nutritious addition to your diet.
• Disease Resistance: The ‘Mary Washington’ variety is specifically bred for improved resistance to asparagus rust and fusarium wilt, two common diseases that can plague asparagus patches. This inherent resistance helps ensure a healthier, more productive crop with less intervention.
• Early Spring Delicacy: Asparagus is one of the first vegetables to emerge in spring, offering a welcome bounty after the long winter months. Enjoy these tender spears grilled, steamed, roasted, or in salads, providing a fresh taste of spring.
• Established Crowns for Faster Production: By planting 10 two-year-old crowns, you significantly reduce the time until your first harvest. These established plants have a stronger root system, allowing them to acclimate quickly and begin producing faster than younger crowns or seeds.
• Attractive Garden Addition: Beyond its edible qualities, mature asparagus foliage creates an attractive, fern-like backdrop in your garden during the summer months, adding texture and visual interest even after the harvest season.
• Low Maintenance Once Established: While initial planting requires careful preparation, once established, growing asparagus is relatively low maintenance. With proper soil, sunlight, and occasional fertilization, your asparagus patch will thrive for years.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

For successful cultivation of Asparagus Mary Washington, proper site selection and care are crucial. Asparagus thrives in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Before planting your asparagus crowns, prepare the bed by digging a trench about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Amend the soil heavily with compost or aged manure to enrich it and improve drainage. Create a small mound of soil in the bottom of the trench for each crown.

When planting the 10 two-year-old crowns, spread their roots evenly over the mound and cover them with 2-3 inches of soil. As the spears begin to grow, gradually fill the trench with more soil until it is level with the surrounding ground. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season. Avoid harvesting any spears in the first year to allow the plants to establish a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest lightly for 2-3 weeks. From the third year onwards, you can enjoy a full harvest season of 6-8 weeks. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer and again after the last harvest.

Pest and disease management for growing asparagus mostly involves monitoring for asparagus beetles and rust. The ‘Mary Washington’ variety offers good rust resistance, but good air circulation and sanitation help prevent fungal issues. In late fall, after the foliage has yellowed, cut the ferns back to about 2 inches from the ground. A layer of mulch applied in late fall can help protect the crowns during winter and suppress weeds. With diligent care, your Mary Washington asparagus patch will be a long-lasting source of delicious, homegrown vegetables.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 two-year-old crowns of Asparagus Mary Washington. Each crown is a robust, well-developed root system, approximately 6-8 inches in diameter, ready for immediate planting. When mature, an established asparagus plant typically grows 3-5 feet tall with a spread of 1-2 feet, forming attractive fern-like foliage after the spears have been harvested. The spears themselves emerge in spring, reaching optimal harvest size at 6-8 inches tall and about ½ to ¾ inch thick. These crowns are shipped bare root, carefully packaged to ensure their vitality upon arrival. Under ideal conditions, you can expect a light harvest in the second year, with full production beginning in the third year and continuing for many decades, providing a consistent supply of fresh perennial asparagus.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will the Asparagus Mary Washington crowns be when they arrive? A: The asparagus crowns will be approximately 6-8 inches in diameter, consisting of a healthy, established root system. They are shipped bare root, ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Asparagus Mary Washington is an outdoor perennial vegetable. It requires a permanent spot in your garden where it can thrive in full sun and well-drained soil for many years.
• Q: How much sunlight does Mary Washington asparagus need? A: For optimal growth and spear production, Mary Washington asparagus needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a sunny location in your garden.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: While initial bed preparation is important, once established, growing asparagus is relatively low maintenance. It is considered suitable for beginners who are willing to follow planting instructions and be patient for the first full harvest.
• Q: What condition will the asparagus crowns arrive in, and are they shipped in soil? A: The asparagus crowns will arrive bare root, meaning they are not shipped in soil. They will be carefully packaged to maintain moisture and ensure they are healthy and ready for planting.
• Q: How long until I can harvest from these 10 two-year-old crowns? A: With 10 two-year-old crowns, you can expect a light harvest for 2-3 weeks in the second year after planting. A full harvest season of 6-8 weeks typically begins in the third year.
• Q: What USDA hardiness zones are suitable for growing asparagus? A: Asparagus Mary Washington is very hardy and typically thrives in USDA Zones 3-10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.
• Q: How many asparagus plants should I plant for a family? A: For a family of four, planting 25-50 asparagus crowns is often recommended to ensure a generous harvest. These 10 two-year-old crowns provide a good start for a smaller patch or supplementary planting.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for perennial asparagus? A: Perennial asparagus prefers loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A sandy loam with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal for vigorous growth.
• Q: Can I grow Mary Washington asparagus in containers? A: While technically possible, growing asparagus in containers is challenging due to its extensive root system and perennial nature. It’s best suited for in-ground planting where roots can spread freely.