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Post by Valerie on Jan 16, 2018 19:58:41 GMT -5
Guess what! I've learned that there is a variety of asparagus that will not only grow here, but will bear! (Mary Washington) So, how many spears is typical for a full grown asparagus plant?
I'm about to start seeds, and I'm really not sure how many to do. They say it'll take about 3 years before they're up to full production, and that's OK (better get started now, right?) I just don't want to plant too many or too few.
Anyone got experience with this?
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Post by Granny Smith on Jan 17, 2018 11:47:28 GMT -5
Martha Washington is the kind I have! I didn't start with seeds, I got roots from Walmart.
I think the number of spears depends a lot on how much room the roots have to spread out. I planted 6 roots and am overrun with asparagus every year. My plants are in a plot that's about 4'x12'.
Also, resist the impulse to break off the spears. They should be cut a little below the surface of the soil (close to 2") Breaking them off can cause the plant to rot or get disease.
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Post by Valerie on Jan 17, 2018 20:23:55 GMT -5
OK that sounds good! I knew they need a lot of room. I was leaning toward 6, but I didn't know if they only get 2 or 3 spears, I might need more. I want to start another bed, kind of like a strip, alongside the porch. If I get the cardboard down and get it covered, I should be able to plant some annual flowers in there in a few months, and it should be good and ready by fall or next spring when it would be time to transplant the asparagus.
Hey, Gayle, when you bought roots, about how long of root system did they have? I'm trying to know how big of pots I'll need to put them in, when I transplant the little jiffy thing.
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Post by Granny Smith on Jan 17, 2018 22:45:20 GMT -5
It's been a while, but it seems like they were about as long as my forearm when I unfolded them. Of course, they grow outward and not straight down.
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Post by Valerie on Jan 18, 2018 20:06:17 GMT -5
OK, I probably should put them in gallon pots, then, not something small. That's assuming they sprout and grow.
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Post by Granny Smith on Jan 18, 2018 20:15:03 GMT -5
Good luck! I hope they do fabulously for you!
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Post by catinhat on Jan 27, 2018 12:58:42 GMT -5
If you have freecycle or local facebook groups where people trade things, mention that you want some asparagus crowns, and someone might give you some. That will give you a nice head start on having harvests. We planted some from the store, same as Gayle, and now I have more than I can eat every year. However, I'm the only one eating it, really. But from 6 starts, I get plenty for me. I could freeze or can some, I guess, but I never do - I just share it with neighbors. Most of us share stuff around through the year.
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Post by consuela on Jun 30, 2018 5:04:45 GMT -5
Hi, I tried to grow it some times already but it never worked out. Maybe I'll give it a try in the pots too! Consuela
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