75 Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns – 2 Year Bare Root Heirloom Plants – Heavy Yield

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with Mary Washington asparagus crowns, a time-tested heirloom variety renowned for its robust growth and exceptional flavor. This offering includes 75 high-quality, two-year-old bare root plants, ready to establish quickly in your garden. As a classic American heirloom, the Mary Washington asparagus crowns are celebrated for consistently producing crisp, tender spears year after year, making them a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners. These perennial vegetables promise bountiful harvests and long-term performance, transforming your garden into a source of fresh, delicious produce for many seasons to come. Growing this dependable variety means investing in a resilient plant that adapts well to various growing conditions, ensuring a satisfying yield.

The Mary Washington asparagus crowns are shipped as dormant, bare root plants, carefully prepared for optimal transplanting success. This method allows the plants to focus their energy on root development once planted, leading to stronger, more productive growth. Known for their reliability and ease of cultivation, these plants are an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a productive and delicious perennial to their home garden. Their enduring popularity stems from their consistent quality and the joy they bring to the table with every harvest.

Key Benefits

Choosing Mary Washington asparagus crowns for your garden offers a multitude of advantages, from culinary delight to gardening success. These robust plants provide a reliable and long-lasting food source, enhancing your home garden’s productivity.

• Heavy & Consistent Yields: Once established, these bare root asparagus plants are known for producing a generous harvest of spears each spring. You’ll enjoy a dependable supply of fresh asparagus for many years, making them a highly productive addition to your vegetable patch.
• Superior Flavor & Texture: The Mary Washington variety is prized for its crisp texture and delicious, subacid flavor. These spears are perfect for roasting, steaming, grilling, or enjoying fresh, adding a gourmet touch to your meals.
• Heirloom Quality & Reliability: As an heirloom variety, Mary Washington asparagus crowns have been trusted by generations of gardeners. Their proven adaptability and consistent performance mean you can count on them to thrive in a wide range of climates and soil types.
• Winter-Hardy & Heat-Tolerant: These plants are remarkably resilient, capable of withstanding cold winters and hot summers. This makes them suitable for diverse growing regions (USDA Zones 3-8), ensuring a successful crop almost anywhere in the US.
• Long-Term Investment: Asparagus is a perennial vegetable, meaning it will return year after year for up to 15-20 years with proper care. Planting these 2 year asparagus crowns is a long-term investment in your garden’s future and your family’s food supply.
• Easy to Grow for All Skill Levels: While asparagus requires initial patience, the Mary Washington variety is considered relatively low-maintenance once established. It’s a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking to expand their perennial vegetable offerings.
• Nutrient-Rich Produce: Freshly harvested asparagus is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet straight from your backyard.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is crucial for establishing productive Mary Washington asparagus crowns. Asparagus thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a permanent location in your garden, as these plants will remain productive for decades. Ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Before planting, amend heavy clay soils with compost and sand, or sandy soils with ample organic material to improve water retention and nutrient availability. Good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot.

When planting your bare root asparagus plants, dig trenches about 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Create a mound of soil at the bottom of the trench, and spread the roots of each crown over the mound. Space crowns 12-18 inches apart within the trench, and space trenches 3-5 feet apart. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil, and water thoroughly. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil, until the trench is level with the surrounding ground. Keep the area free of weeds, which can compete with the young asparagus plants for nutrients and water. Consistent moisture is important, especially during the first year of growth, but avoid waterlogging.

Fertilize your Mary Washington asparagus crowns annually in early spring before new growth emerges, using a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted compost. Avoid harvesting any spears during the first two years after planting, allowing the plants to put all their energy into developing a strong root system. This patience will be richly rewarded with abundant harvests in subsequent years. From the third year onwards, you can begin harvesting spears when they are 6-10 inches tall and about as thick as your finger. Stop harvesting when the spears become thin, typically around late June, and allow the ferns to grow to replenish the plant’s energy for the next season. Understanding how to grow asparagus successfully ensures a long-lasting and productive patch.

Size & Details

This offering includes 75 individual Mary Washington asparagus crowns, each being 2 years old. These 2 year asparagus crowns are shipped as dormant, bare root plants, meaning they are without soil or foliage, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. The bare root form allows for easy shipping and efficient transplanting, minimizing stress on the plant. Once planted, these crowns will develop into robust plants, typically reaching heights of 3-5 feet with their fern-like foliage. The mature plants will produce spears that are approximately 6-10 inches long and about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter at harvest. Expect initial harvests to begin in the third year after planting, with full production achieved in subsequent years. This quantity is ideal for establishing a substantial asparagus patch that will provide ample harvests for a family.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these asparagus crowns get? A: These Mary Washington asparagus crowns are 2 years old when shipped. Once planted and established, the fern-like foliage can grow 3-5 feet tall during the growing season. The edible spears are typically harvested when they are 6-10 inches tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Asparagus is an outdoor perennial vegetable. These bare root asparagus plants require a permanent spot in a garden bed with full sun exposure to thrive and produce harvests for many years.
• Q: How much sunlight does Mary Washington asparagus need? A: Mary Washington asparagus crowns require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choosing a sunny location is critical for optimal growth and spear production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Asparagus is considered relatively easy to care for once established, but it does require patience as you wait for the first harvest. It is a good choice for beginners willing to commit to its perennial nature and initial non-harvest period. Understanding how to grow asparagus successfully involves proper site selection and initial preparation.
• Q: What condition will the asparagus crowns arrive in? A: The 2 year asparagus crowns will arrive dormant and bare root, meaning they will not have any soil or green growth. This is the ideal condition for transplanting and ensures the plant’s energy is conserved for root development.
• 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. This allows the plants ample time to establish their root systems before the heat of summer.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, Mary Washington asparagus crowns are very winter-hardy and are suitable for USDA Zones 3-8. They can withstand cold temperatures and will go dormant in winter, re-emerging in spring.
• Q: How long until I can harvest asparagus spears? A: It is crucial to allow the bare root asparagus plants to establish for two full growing seasons before harvesting. You can typically begin light harvesting in the third year after planting, with full production by the fourth year. This patience ensures a strong, long-lived asparagus patch.
• Q: What is the typical spacing for planting these crowns? A: For healthy, long-term growth and optimal yields, space your Mary Washington asparagus crowns 12-18 inches apart within the planting trench.
• Q: What type of soil do these asparagus crowns prefer? A: These bare root asparagus plants prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.5) is ideal for optimal growth and production.