This means that for the most part, crowns of the "Jersey" varieties are no longer available for growers to order. You should cut spears before they start to look like ferns, since they will become tough after they start to fern out. It is very vigorous and high yielding. Once the spears are sturdy and several inches tall, several more inches of soil can be back-filled into the furrow. You can start asparagus from seed or from one-year-old roots, called crowns.. So, what is the best asparagus to grow? Some gardeners will not harvest during the second year at all, preferring to allow the plants to build more strength before finally beginning to harvest in the third year. It will be returned to the trench several weeks later as the ferns grow. Only plants with all female flowers produce red, inedible berries in summer. The spears continue to grow throughout the spring and summer. If you want the largest spears, these are your best options. Planning the row spacing, row orientationand number of crowns needed. learn more about Purple Passion asparagus from Stark Brothers. In this article, well take a closer look at these 10 asparagus varieties. New Zealand. I have some of the Jersey varieties and will be preparing a new bed and was considering the Mellenium. Waiting to prepare until the planting year only works if the grower already knows that the field is well suited for asparagus and if nurseries still have crowns of the desired varieties available. Discover how to grow, harvest, and eat good food from your own gardenwith our FREE e-newsletter, delivered directly to your email inbox. The Mary Washington asparagus is an heirloom variety that is a perennial plant and it does best in growing zones 3-8. Keep the nursery bed free from weeds, as the asparagus seedlings will not be able to compete with strong weed growth. Hybrid varieties are mostly all-male plants, so planting hybridsminimizes the issue of re-seeding. We are certainly interested in learning more about how these hybrid varieties compare when grown across Minnesota, specifically USDA zones 3 and 4. They can be used in the early spring before spears have started emerging, or after all spears have been harvested in late June and no ferns are present. All in all we thought that Stewart Pacific was very very good and all the greens were amazing and beat Tesco's offering hands down. White asparagus is grown in the dark, which is why it doesnt turn green. This is because female plants expend tremendous energy producing seeds and small, weedy seedlings that compete with established asparagus plants. 5080. and the spears are uniform, green, tender, not stringy with a heavy crop to read some of my most popular posts, check out the Best of GreenUpSide page here. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Of course that is what we'd all love to have. The benefit of male plants is that they do not produce seed which gives them more energy to produce higher yields (as much as 2 to 3 times the yield can be expected). Consider soil drainage, sunlight, soil texture, irrigation and soil pH when choosing a planting site. This also has potential implications for asparagus beetle; ferns that go dormant earlier in the fall may be cut earlier, reducing the risk of asparagus beetle overwintering. Jersey Knight F1 hybrid They grow well in sandy soils as well as in heavier clay soils. Purple Passion: A purple, open-pollinated variety. 5 Jersey Knight Asparagus Bare Root Crowns -Green Asparagus - Planting Ornaments Perennial Garden Simple to Grow Pots Gifts. Asparagus spears are a delight to harvest in spring. (800) 777-2658. These are technically the stems of the plants. A small amount of well-rotted manure can be worked into the soil at the bottom of the trench before planting. They are a lot easier to find and usually cheaper. Millennium Is The New Leader in Asparagus. The asparagus harvest season lasts about 6-8 weeks, from early May to late June in Minnesota. Hingham, MA 02043 Use Current Location. Although commercial production in the United States is concentrated in California, Washington and Michigan, Minnesota's climate and soils provide an excellent environment for growing asparagus. In larger patches with multiple rows, the aisles between the rows can be mulched using wood chips, straw, or landscape fabric. The crown is the belowground part of the asparagus plant that includes roots, rhizomesand buds. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! It is highly disease-resistant. Flaming (propane weeding): Flame weeders, also called propane weeders, emit heat and flames from propane-powered torches. These buds and roots are called crowns. If spears are left to grow, they develop leaves and are called ferns. Asparagus harvest is only two months instead of the entire season, because the plants need a chance to let the ferns grow in order to recover and build up energy for the next year. Horticultural Society. to mid season and has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal While all the Jersey varieties as well as Mellenium and even Purple Passion routinely surpass the old varieties of Martha and Mary Washington they still require good soil, proper spacing, sufficient and timely nutrient and water support, and careful pest control. varietys and is good eaten raw in salads, sipped into dressing etc. All rights reserved. Excellent disease resistance. Its 'Jersey Knight' is one of the more vigorous types of asparagus; highly resistant to asparagus diseases such as crown rot, rust, and fusarium wilt. Space the crowns 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 4 to 5 feet apart. According to Ben Werling, Michigan State University vegetable Extension Educator, Millennium is better adapted to cold climates than Mulching: Straw and leaves can be used for mulch in asparagus beds to help smother weeds. Now you know about different asparagus varieties and their benefits. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Read on for recommendations on how to proceed with other varieties in 2021. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. It is also a distant cousin of the onion and considered a part of thelilaceaefamily. It also tends to grow larger crops the older it is; by the fourth season, you should see a very large and full crop. Of course, most of these asparagus varieties are hardy to Zone 3 (down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit or -40 degrees Celsius). If the asparagus bed is to be part of a larger vegetable garden, the best place is at the north end of the garden, so that the tall ferns do not shade the other crops. Use a perennial cover crop mix including species like fescues, perennial ryegrass, and clover that are hardy in Minnesota. You cant go wrong with any of these hybrid varieties, but many gardeners like Jersey Giant for its high yield of male-only plants and tender, flavorful spears. Some Minnesota growers use custom equipment to dig furrows, while most others use a single-bottom plow or a potato hilling disk. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If your soil test shows that the garden is high in phosphorus, use a low phosphorus fertilizer such as 32-3-10, 27-3-3, or 25-3-12, or use a non-phosphorus fertilizer such as 30-0-10 or 24-0-15 at the rate of pound per 100 square feet. According to Werling and Carl Cantaluppi (retired asparagus researcher, North Carolina Extension), other varieties to consider in addition to Millennium include: All varieties listed above are hybrids. It is pale green in color and very resistant to various diseases. The spears emerge from underground buds at the base of the root system. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. For example, if you have 10 crowns, dig a 10-foot long trench. Jersey Giant Jersey Supreme Open-pollinated varieties for Minnesota Mary Washington Martha Washington Purple Passion Choosing a planting site for asparagus Since asparagus is a long-lived perennial crop, proper site selection is important. It goes dormant earlier in the fall and wakes up more slowly in the spring, reducing the risk of late fall and early spring frost damage. Grow your own vegetables. Emerges as spears for harvest at desired thickness. It also does best in growing zones 5-8. Spears are the newly emerged stems of the plant. Not sure why you feel that way as the vast majority of crop production is found in the southern climes, even as far south as Mexico and South America. Although many people believe that thinner and younger asparagus is more tender, it is actually just the opposite. Green asparagus is inarguably the most common type of asparagus found in most supermarket produce departments. The plant itself can grow up to five feet tall while the asparagus itself can get to roughly nine inches in length. Fresh asparagus is such a springtime treat that you can eat it within hours of picking, but it can also keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. It became popular in France and it has a whitish-green color with hints of light pink throughout. Read the label of the herbicide carefully before applying it to ensure that it is permitted for use in asparagus, and follow all label instructions for application. Nitrogen should be added after planting, once the crowns begin growing. To plant the crowns, place them "head-to-toe" (bud-to-root tip) in a line down the furrow, so that the buds of the crowns are spaced above 12 inches apart. It is also a very sturdy type of asparagus. 'Millennium' has emerged as the top choice of asparagus varieties in the Midwest. Well adapted to the South. Hi, I'm Jon. The asparagus itself gets to roughly eight inches while the plant can grow up to seven feet tall. These buds and roots are called "crowns." The cost to establish an asparagus field is substantial, so growers should have a robust management plan in place before planting. Some are all-male varieties that produce lots of spears. Avoid adding unnecessary amounts of phosphorus to the soil beyond what the soil tests recommend. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Weeds compete with asparagus for soil nutrients, water, and light, so managing weeds will help support a more bountiful yield of spears. In early April, before the plants start to grow, dig up the crowns with as much of the root system as you can, and move them to their permanent location, following the method described below for planting crowns. Note: asparagus can also spread by their red berries. We promise never to sell, rent or disclose your email address to third parties. It is After I read the info, still do not see the big differences between them. Leaves and stems may yellow and die back. pollinated variety. These are technically the stems of the plants. adaptable liking either clay or sandy soils. learn more about Mary Washington asparagus from Eden Brothers. 'Jersey Knight' is an all male cultivar (female plants are occasionally produced however) that features green spears that are 3/8" in diameter or more. It has thicker spears than either It is also both a male and a female plant. The purples are worth having also. . sign up for our weekly gardening newsletter here! This type of asparagus was developed in 1978 and is one of the most popular types of asparagus, if not the most common. The recommended bud spacing is 12 inches. which has medium diameter spears. This came as a surprise to us, as previous information had suggested that these varieties would still be available for a couple more years. The plants are dormant from December to April in Minnesota and many varieties are known to overwinter well in our climate. Continuous use of high phosphorus fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 15-30-15, or high rates of manure or compost can result in phosphorus buildup in the soil that impacts soil and plant health over time. Be sure to think carefully about which variety or range of varieties will suit your growing conditions best if you are thinking of planting an asparagus bed. You should also be aware that all-male is still at best 75%. Purple Passion with medium diameter stalks which are best harvested when they are about Then again, they are slightly later to emerge. Plant seed in spring, about one inch deep, spaced two to three inches apart, within rows that are a foot apart. good in poorer soils and is an all male variety of asparagus. Following the steps outlined in planting a new asparagus crop will help ensure that your investment pays off. It is resistant to rust and is an open The Jersey Knight is resistant to many diseases including rust, crown rot, and fusarium wilt, among others. To find books, courses, seeds, gardening supplies, and more, check out The Shop at Greenupside! Our goal: fresh from our Asparagus Farm to your garden. 2023 varieties of pacific 2000 one for spring and one for autumn planting. I have 2 boxes(4 x 16) of 4 yr old Martha and Jersey. We understand that many Minnesota asparagus growers have been relying on these varieties, and that the discontinuation of the Jersey varieties may be seen as an inconvenience. Note where comparisons were made the names of the varieties were not used but we worked it out from the numbers we gave each one. Get Pricing and Availability . It is longer and thinner than its cultivated cousins and has a more delicate taste as well. Asparagus ferns (which are mature spears that have produced foliage) can reach a width of 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. Cultivating in the spring allows for the addition of fertilizer to the soil, but can also stimulate the growth of weed seeds that were previously buried. The length of the trench should be as long as the number of crowns being planted. Allow the spears to become ferns and build the strength of the crowns. Let's solve your gardening problems, spend more time growing, and get the best harvest every year! It grows vigorously rot. 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