10 Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns – 2 Year Old Live Plants for Fall Planting

Overview

Cultivate your own delicious, tender spears with our premium Grande F1 asparagus crowns. These robust, 2-year-old live plants are specifically selected for their vigor and readiness to produce a harvest sooner. Asparagus is a beloved perennial vegetable, meaning with proper care, you’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown spears for many seasons to come without replanting. The ‘Grande F1’ variety is known for its high yield and excellent flavor, making it a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Planting these mature crowns in the fall sets them up for strong root development over winter, leading to an earlier and more prolific harvest in the following spring. Experience the unparalleled taste of garden-fresh asparagus right from your backyard.

Our 2 year asparagus plants are a significant head start compared to planting seeds or 1-year crowns. This means you can expect a light harvest in just one year after planting, with full production in subsequent years. Asparagus is not only a culinary delight but also adds an attractive, fern-like foliage to your garden long after the harvest season concludes. Embrace the joy of sustainable gardening with these easy-to-grow, long-lived vegetables.

Key Benefits

Investing in Grande F1 asparagus crowns offers numerous advantages for the home gardener:

• Early Production: As 2-year-old crowns, these plants are more established, allowing for a light harvest in the first year after planting, significantly reducing the waiting time compared to younger crowns or seeds. This makes growing your own perennial vegetables more rewarding from the start.
• High Yield & Flavor: The ‘Grande F1’ variety is celebrated for its excellent productivity and superior taste, providing a generous supply of thick, tender asparagus spears perfect for various culinary uses. You’ll love the quality of your homegrown harvest.
• Long-Term Investment: Once established, asparagus beds can produce for 15-20 years or even longer. This makes grow asparagus a highly cost-effective and sustainable choice for fresh produce.
• Easy to Grow: Asparagus, while requiring initial bed preparation, is relatively low-maintenance once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. Our 2 year asparagus plants give you a head start.
• Nutrient-Rich: Asparagus is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet. Enjoy the health benefits of fresh, organic produce straight from your garden.
• Attractive Foliage: Beyond its edible spears, the feathery, green foliage of asparagus adds an ornamental touch to your garden throughout the summer and fall.
• Ideal for Fall Planting: Specifically selected for fall planting asparagus, these crowns establish strong root systems before winter, leading to robust growth and earlier harvests in the spring.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of Grande F1 asparagus crowns begins with proper site selection and soil preparation. Asparagus thrives in a sunny location, receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It requires well-draining soil with a pH between 7.0-7.2. Before planting, amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Dig trenches approximately 8-10 inches deep and 12-14 inches wide for optimal growth. For heavier clay-like soils, an 8-inch deep furrow is recommended to prevent waterlogging.

When you grow asparagus, proper spacing is crucial. Plant the crowns with their roots spread out, approximately 12-14 inches apart in the trench, and cover with 2-3 inches of soil. As the spears begin to grow, gradually fill the trench with soil until it is level with the surrounding ground. During the establishment year, consistent moisture is vital. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Lighter soils may require more frequent watering. Fertilize before planting with 5 lbs of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 sq ft. In the establishment year, dress in August with 1 lb of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft and work into the top 2 inches of soil. In subsequent years, use 2 lbs of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft in early spring and again after harvest. Incorporating lime, bone meal, and superphosphate can help maintain optimal soil nutrient levels. Weed control is also important, especially in the first few years, as young asparagus plants can be outcompeted by weeds. Mulching can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. The feathery ferns will naturally die back in the fall; mulching these dried ferns with a mower can further reduce weed pressure. These perennial vegetables are resilient once established.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 Grande F1 asparagus crowns, each being a mature 2-year-old plant. These crowns are substantial in size, providing a significant head start for your asparagus patch. Each crown is carefully selected to ensure health and vigor, ready for successful fall planting asparagus. Upon arrival, the crowns will appear dormant, which is normal for this stage of their life cycle and ideal for planting. They are designed to quickly establish a strong root system in your garden, leading to vigorous growth and earlier harvests of delicious spears. Expect a light cutting in the first year after planting, with regular, bountiful harvests in subsequent years. The mature plants will grow to a height of approximately 3-5 feet with a similar spread of their fern-like foliage, providing both a productive crop and an attractive garden feature for many years to come. These 2 year asparagus plants are a smart investment for any home gardener.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these asparagus crowns get? A: These are 2-year-old Grande F1 asparagus crowns, meaning they are well-established. Once planted, the mature plants will typically reach a height of 3-5 feet with a similar spread of their fern-like foliage.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these asparagus crowns? A: These Grande F1 asparagus crowns are specifically suited for fall planting asparagus. Planting in the fall allows the crowns to establish a strong root system over the winter, leading to robust growth and earlier harvests in the spring.
• Q: How much sunlight do asparagus plants need? A: Asparagus plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and spear production. Choosing a sunny location is key to successfully grow asparagus.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Once established, asparagus is a relatively low-maintenance perennial vegetable. The initial planting and bed preparation require some effort, but after that, consistent watering and annual fertilization will ensure a long-lasting and productive bed of perennial vegetables.
• Q: When can I expect to harvest asparagus spears? A: Since these are 2 year asparagus plants, you can expect a light harvest in the first year after planting. Regular, full harvests can be enjoyed in the subsequent years, typically for 15-20 years or more.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for growing asparagus? A: Asparagus prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 7.0-7.2. Amending your soil with organic matter like compost before planting is highly recommended to improve fertility and drainage for these Grande F1 asparagus crowns.
• Q: Will these asparagus crowns survive winter in my zone? A: Asparagus is a hardy perennial vegetable. While specific hardiness varies by variety, ‘Grande F1’ is generally suitable for a wide range of USDA zones. Ensure proper mulching in colder climates to protect the crowns over winter.
• Q: Do I need to fertilize my asparagus plants? A: Yes, regular fertilization is important. Apply a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) before planting, in August of the establishment year, and then in early spring and after harvest in subsequent years to ensure vigorous growth of your perennial vegetables.
• Q: How do I control weeds in my asparagus bed? A: Weed control is crucial, especially for young asparagus. Mulching is an effective way to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Regularly hand-pulling weeds will also help prevent competition with your Grande F1 asparagus crowns.
• Q: Can I grow asparagus in containers? A: While possible, asparagus has an extensive root system and is best grown directly in the ground in a dedicated bed. If attempting container growing, choose very large, deep containers to accommodate the root growth of these 2 year asparagus plants.