When planting asparagus, the first step is to select the site where you plan to plant the asparagus. Next, you need to select the proper soil. After that, you will need to fertilize the asparagus. After fertilizing the asparagus, it is time to plant the crowns. You can space them about a foot apart and then cover them with two to three inches of soil. Continue adding soil as needed and keep the crowns slightly mounded above the ground level.
Site selection
Site selection for planting asparagus is a very important step in the growing process. Asparagus will grow in one spot for a long time and require a sunny, well-drained location. Asparagus can be planted right next to a fence in the garden to act as a barrier between it and other plants.
The soil in which asparagus grows should be well-drained and 6.5-7.0 in pH. Soil that is below this level may not be suitable, but can be improved with amendments. Soil slope is also a factor in ensuring good water drainage. If the soil is too wet, asparagus roots can become damaged and die. It is also important to consider the presence of soil insects. Some alfalfa fields and old pastures are likely to harbor wireworms. Using appropriate insect control can help minimize the presence of these pests.
Asparagus grows best in full sun. It requires about 8 hours of sun a day to grow properly. In addition to direct sunlight, it also needs good drainage. Tall shrubs or trees can shade asparagus and compete for nutrients. Before planting, be sure to prepare the area with compost to prevent weeds.
Once the ground is workable in the spring, asparagus can be planted. Generally, the best time to plant asparagus is between March 15 and April 15. Crowns should be spaced nine to 12 inches apart and covered with a thin layer of soil. As the plants grow, they may need additional soil and organic mulch. In addition, asparagus plants may need an inch or two of water each week.
Asparagus is a monoecious plant, so the male plants produce better spears. However, some older heirloom cultivars are mixed, so they contain a mix of male and female plants.
Dividing
Dividing asparagus when planting can be a great way to increase the amount of harvestable shoots you have. The crown of the asparagus plant can indicate where the plant should be divided, and if there are whitish spears emerging, then the crown is ready for division. You can separate the roots with a sharp knife and plant them in different areas. If the roots are tangled, trim them to make replanting easier.
Ideally, you should divide the asparagus plants when they are still young so that you can harvest the spears when they are small and spindly. After this, you should allow the plants to fern. This will help the plant to collect energy for spear production. However, after three years, the spears will start to dwindle. For this reason, you should divide your asparagus plants every three years or so.
Before planting your asparagus plants, make sure they have adequate soil and are planted 12 to 18 inches apart. You can divide them into individual crowns and plant them in separate beds or in a row. In either case, make sure you dig a trench into the ground so the crowns will not be touching each other. Once you’ve planted the crowns, cover the crowns with topsoil and compost. Once the soil is moist, you can add the asparagus spears.
Asparagus can be hardy in most soils, but it needs adequate moisture and drainage for its healthy growth. In areas where spring wind erosion occurs, it is a good idea to plant windbreak strips between the rows to protect the tender spears.
Keeping weeds at bay
Weeds can be a big problem when planting asparagus. Weeds compete with your asparagus plants, and you’ll need to get rid of them as they appear. You can also keep weeds at bay by applying a thin layer of bark mulch. It’s easy to do and will help your asparagus grow. Keep in mind that asparagus is a perennial crop, so make sure you get the right type of soil before planting.
Asparagus beds are shallow and need good drainage, but once they’re established they can fend for themselves. Water your asparagus bed regularly with a soaker hose or drip irrigation. Mulch is another way to keep weeds at bay and conserve moisture.
Another way to kill weeds is to use a non-selective herbicide, such as Roundup. This herbicide is safe to use around asparagus plants, but it won’t work on weeds that have sprouted. It’s also best to apply it early in the spring, before the plants have emerged.
Another option for keeping weeds at bay when planting asparagus is to sprinkle salt on the soil. While it works to control weeds in a garden without harming the asparagus, it also ruins soil structure, which can be detrimental to the asparagus plants. Moreover, it leaches into the soil nearby, and the salt can even kill the plants. In addition, the sodium in the salt will displace other nutrients and lead to poor water penetration.
In addition to weed killer, you should mulch your asparagus beds. This will keep weeds at bay, and the asparagus spears will be grown through the mulch.
Harvesting
The first step in harvesting asparagus is to thin the plants. The best way to do this is to thin the plants as they grow to about three inches tall. They will grow more quickly if the soil is kept moist. The second step is to transplant the asparagus seedlings to another bed. They should be placed at least three inches apart.
The asparagus plants need regular fertilization to grow properly. During the spring and summer, add some organic fertilizer to the soil. Do not forget to cover the bare soil with mulch. Asparagus plants will grow for many years if they are properly cared for. To ensure a healthy crop, choose resistant varieties and use organic controls to control pests and diseases. You can also use a floating row cover to prevent insect pests from laying eggs. Be sure to remove the row cover when the plants grow tall enough to produce spears. You should also control weeds and use sanitized tools to harvest the plants.
Asparagus plants grow from the crown, top and roots. The roots and crown contain the food that the spears will eat. The amount of food stored in the crown and roots determines how many spears will grow in the spring. So, it’s important to keep these components fertilized and weed-free.
In the spring, the asparagus season generally extends from mid-April to the middle of May, though the season can vary depending on the region. In areas with a warm climate, the season is usually earlier. If the soil is too cool, the asparagus crop will not develop properly.
