25 Asparagus Crowns – Walker Deluxe F1 – 2 Year Old Live Plants – Fall Planting Vegetable

Overview

Cultivate your own gourmet spears with this offering of asparagus crowns, specifically the vigorous ‘Walker Deluxe F1’ variety. These are robust, 2-year-old bare root plants, carefully selected to ensure a quick establishment and a rewarding harvest. Asparagus is a true perennial vegetable, meaning you plant it once and enjoy season after season of succulent spears. Unlike starting from seed, these mature crowns significantly reduce the waiting time, allowing for light cuttings in just one year, with regular harvests thereafter. They are a fantastic choice for any gardener looking to establish a long-term, productive vegetable patch. These non-GMO crowns are ready for fall planting, providing an excellent head start for next year’s growing season. The graceful, feathery green foliage also adds an attractive element to your garden long after the harvest.

Choosing to grow asparagus from 2-year-old crowns is an investment in future culinary delight. The ‘Walker Deluxe F1’ is known for its excellent yield and delicious flavor, making it a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. These large, healthy plants are poised to thrive in your garden, transforming into a reliable source of fresh, nutritious vegetables. Experience the satisfaction of harvesting your own asparagus, a true harbinger of spring, year after year.

Key Benefits

Investing in these asparagus crowns brings a multitude of benefits to your garden and kitchen. You’ll enjoy the freshest possible asparagus, packed with nutrients and flavor that far surpasses store-bought options. These perennial vegetables are incredibly rewarding and require minimal effort once established.

• Long-Term Harvests: Asparagus is a perennial, providing delicious spears for 15-20 years or more from a single planting. Enjoy endless seasons of fresh produce.
• Reduced Waiting Time: Starting with 2-year-old crowns means you’ll have light cuttings in just one year, significantly faster than growing from seed. This makes it easier to grow asparagus successfully.
• Non-GMO Quality: These crowns are guaranteed non-GMO, ensuring you’re planting natural and wholesome asparagus plants in your garden.
• High Yield Potential: The ‘Walker Deluxe F1’ variety is renowned for its vigorous growth and abundant production of tender, flavorful spears.
• Nutrient-Rich Food: Fresh asparagus is a powerhouse of vitamins (A, C, E, K), folate, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet.
• Garden Beauty: Beyond the harvest, the fern-like foliage of asparagus adds an attractive, feathery texture to your garden throughout the summer.
• Economic Value: Once established, your asparagus patch will save you money on grocery bills for years to come, making it one of the most cost-effective perennial vegetables.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care for your asparagus crowns ensures a robust and productive patch for decades. Asparagus thrives in a well-prepared bed with excellent drainage and full sun exposure. Select a site that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Before planting, amend your soil generously with compost or aged manure to improve fertility and drainage. Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 7.0-7.2, which is very important for optimal growth. Conduct a soil test and amend as needed with lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it.

When planting these asparagus plants, dig furrows 8-10 inches deep (8 inches for heavier clay soils) and 3 feet apart. Create a small mound of soil at the bottom of each furrow and spread the roots of each crown over the mound. Space crowns 12-14 inches apart within the furrow. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil, gradually filling the furrow as the spears grow. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Maintain consistent moisture, especially during the establishment year; lighter soils may require more frequent watering. Avoid waterlogging, as asparagus crowns are susceptible to rot.

Fertilization is key for healthy fall planting vegetables like asparagus. Before planting, incorporate 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, apply 2 lbs of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft in early spring and again after harvest. Lime, bone meal, and super phosphate can help maintain proper soil nutrient levels. Weed control is crucial, especially in the first few years, as young asparagus plants compete poorly with weeds. Mulching can help suppress weeds, and ferns will naturally die back in the fall. Mulching dried ferns with a mower in the fall can further reduce weed pressure. For chemical recommendations, contact a local extension office.

Size & Details

This offering includes 25 asparagus crowns of the ‘Walker Deluxe F1’ variety. These are mature 2-year-old bare root plants, which are significantly larger and more established than 1-year-old crowns, providing a substantial head start for your asparagus patch. Each crown is robust and ready for planting, designed to quickly establish and produce abundant spears. Asparagus plants typically grow 3-5 feet tall once established, with a spread of 1-2 feet per plant, forming a dense ferny canopy during the summer months. These crowns are ideally suited for fall planting vegetables, allowing them to establish a strong root system before the spring growing season. With proper care, you can expect a light harvest in the first year after planting, followed by full harvests in subsequent years, providing fresh, homegrown asparagus for up to two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are 2-year-old asparagus crowns? A: Two-year-old asparagus crowns are bare root plants that have already completed two full growing seasons. They are more mature and robust than 1-year-old crowns, offering a quicker path to harvest and stronger establishment in your garden.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these asparagus plants? A: These asparagus crowns are ideal for fall planting. Planting in the fall allows the root system to establish without the stress of producing spears, leading to a stronger plant in the following spring.
• Q: How much sun do asparagus plants need? A: Asparagus requires a location with full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is crucial for vigorous growth and abundant spear production.
• Q: Is this variety non-GMO? A: Yes, these ‘Walker Deluxe F1’ asparagus crowns are certified non-GMO, ensuring you are planting natural and wholesome vegetables in your garden.
• Q: How long until I can harvest asparagus from these crowns? A: You can typically expect a light harvest in the first year after planting these 2-year-old crowns. Regular, full harvests usually begin in the second year and continue for many seasons.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for grow asparagus? A: Asparagus thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 7.0 and 7.2. Amending your soil with organic matter before planting is highly recommended.
• Q: How large will these perennial vegetables grow? A: Once established, asparagus plants will typically grow 3-5 feet tall during the summer, forming a beautiful fern-like canopy. The spears themselves are harvested when they are 6-10 inches tall.
• Q: How do I control weeds in my asparagus patch? A: Weed control is essential, especially for young asparagus. Mulching can help suppress weeds, and careful hand-weeding is often necessary. Avoid deep cultivation near the crowns to prevent damage.
• Q: Are these fall planting vegetables suitable for all climates? A: Asparagus is a hardy perennial, generally suitable for a wide range of climates. It’s important to check your local USDA hardiness zone to ensure it’s appropriate for your region.
• Q: Can I grow asparagus crowns in containers? A: While possible, asparagus prefers deep, rich soil to establish an extensive root system, making in-ground planting generally more successful. Large, deep containers would be required for a reasonable yield.