10 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns – 2 Year Bare Root Heirloom Plants for Gardening

Overview

Introduce a garden classic to your landscape with these premium Mary Washington asparagus crowns. This listing provides 10 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns, robust 2-year bare root plants ready to establish quickly in your garden. The Mary Washington variety is a highly regarded heirloom, celebrated for its exceptional flavor, tender spears, and consistent heavy yields. As a perennial vegetable, these heirloom asparagus plants will provide delicious harvests for many years, making them a worthwhile investment for any home gardener. Whether you’re an experienced grower or just beginning your journey into growing asparagus, this reliable variety is an excellent choice for a productive and rewarding perennial vegetable garden.

The Mary Washington asparagus, known scientifically as Asparagus officinalis ‘Mary Washington’, has a rich history in American gardening. It’s a testament to its enduring qualities that it remains a top choice for gardeners today. These dormant bare root crowns are carefully harvested and prepared for shipping, ensuring they arrive in optimal condition for planting. Once established, they will awaken in spring to produce succulent, green spears, bringing a taste of fresh, homegrown goodness directly to your table.

Key Benefits

Investing in Mary Washington asparagus crowns offers numerous advantages for your garden and your plate. These robust plants are renowned for their reliability and superior quality, providing a consistent supply of delicious spears.

• Exceptional Flavor & Texture: Enjoy crisp, tender asparagus spears with a delightful subacid taste. The Mary Washington variety is celebrated for its classic asparagus flavor, making it a favorite for culinary use in countless dishes.
• Heavy Yields: Once established, these heirloom asparagus plants are known for producing abundant harvests. You can look forward to a generous supply of fresh asparagus each spring, enough for family meals and perhaps even sharing with friends.
• Long-Term Productivity: As a perennial vegetable, asparagus beds can remain productive for 15-20 years or more with proper care. These Mary Washington asparagus crowns represent a lasting addition to your perennial vegetable garden, offering decades of fresh produce.
• Winter Hardy & Heat Tolerant: This resilient variety thrives across a wide range of climates, from USDA Zones 3 to 8. Its adaptability to both cold winters and warm summers makes it a dependable choice for many regions, simplifying the process of growing asparagus successfully.
• Easy to Grow for All Skill Levels: Mary Washington asparagus is a forgiving and robust plant, suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Its consistent performance and relatively low maintenance once established make it a rewarding crop.
• Nutrient-Rich Harvests: Fresh asparagus is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and minerals, offering a healthy addition to your diet straight from your own backyard.
• Bare Root Advantage: Shipping as bare root crowns means less transplant shock and a strong start. These 2-year crowns are already well-developed, giving them a head start compared to younger plants or seeds.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is essential for establishing a healthy and productive patch of Mary Washington asparagus crowns. Begin by selecting a site with full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Good drainage is paramount, as asparagus roots are susceptible to rot in waterlogged soil. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility. The ideal soil pH for growing asparagus is between 6.5 and 7.5. Conduct a soil test prior to planting to determine if any adjustments are needed.

When planting your 10 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns, dig trenches about 6-8 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide. Create a mound of soil in the center of the trench and spread the roots of each crown over the mound. Space crowns 12-18 inches apart within the trench, and if planting multiple rows, ensure rows are 3-5 feet apart. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil, gradually filling the trench as the spears grow throughout the first season. Keep the area free of weeds, which compete for nutrients and moisture. Water regularly during dry spells, especially during the first year of establishment. Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced fertilizer or compost to support vigorous growth and ensure a long-lasting perennial vegetable garden.

Patience is key with asparagus. Do not harvest any spears during the first year after planting, allowing the plants to put all their energy into establishing a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest lightly for 2-3 weeks. By the third year, your heirloom asparagus plants should be fully established, and you can enjoy a full harvest season of 6-8 weeks. Watch out for asparagus beetles, which can be managed by hand-picking or organic pest control methods. In late fall, after the foliage has turned yellow, cut the ferns back to about 2 inches above the ground to prepare the bed for winter. This care routine will ensure your Mary Washington asparagus crowns thrive for many seasons.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns, which are 2-year-old bare root plants. These crowns are dormant upon arrival, ensuring they are ready for immediate planting and establishment in your garden. The 2-year age means they have a well-developed root system, giving them a significant advantage over younger crowns or seeds, leading to quicker establishment and earlier, more robust harvests. While exact dimensions vary, each crown will feature a healthy root mass and dormant buds ready to sprout.

When mature, Mary Washington asparagus plants typically grow to a height of 3-5 feet with a spread of 1-2 feet, forming a bushy fern-like foliage during the non-harvest season. The spears themselves emerge in spring, reaching optimal harvest height of 6-10 inches before becoming tough. These bare root crowns are shipped without soil, carefully packaged to maintain their viability during transit. With proper planting and care, you can expect these heirloom asparagus plants to begin producing a full harvest within three years, offering a bountiful supply for your perennial vegetable garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Once established, Mary Washington asparagus plants can grow fern-like foliage 3-5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. The edible spears are typically harvested when they are 6-10 inches tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Mary Washington asparagus crowns are outdoor perennial vegetable plants. They require a cold dormancy period to thrive and produce spears, making them unsuitable for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: These heirloom asparagus plants require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, to produce the best yields and maintain plant health.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, growing asparagus is relatively easy once established. The main work involves proper site preparation, initial planting, and patience during the first two years before harvesting.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your 10 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns will arrive as dormant, bare root plants, carefully packaged to ensure they are healthy and ready for planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Mary Washington asparagus crowns? A: The best time to plant Mary Washington asparagus crowns is in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, typically after the last hard frost.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, Mary Washington asparagus crowns are extremely winter-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 3–8. They require a cold dormancy period to remain productive.
• Q: How long until I can harvest from these 2-year bare root plants? A: With these 2-year bare root Mary Washington asparagus crowns, you can expect a light harvest in the second year after planting, and a full harvest season by the third year.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for growing asparagus? A: Asparagus prefers well-drained, loose, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
• Q: Are these suitable for a small garden? A: While asparagus can take up space due to its fern growth and long-term nature, a dedicated perennial vegetable garden bed can be quite productive even in smaller spaces, especially with careful spacing of the Mary Washington asparagus crowns.