Description
Grow asparagus Mary Washington for tender spring spears that return year after year. Establish a hardy heirloom bed that pays you back each season with rich, classic flavor. Count on sturdy plants that thrive in full sun, show good rust tolerance, and turn a small corner of your garden into a long-term harvest.
Key Features
- Heirloom variety: Enjoy dependable flavor and time-tested garden performance.
- Perennial payoff: Plant once and harvest for many seasons.
- Cold-hardy: Handle cool winters in many regions for reliable returns.
- Good rust tolerance: Support healthier stands with less worry.
- Full-sun performer: Grow thicker, stronger spears with adequate light.
- Flexible start: Begin from seed or crowns to fit your timeline.
Applications
Set up a dedicated asparagus row in a raised bed or along a fence line. Keep the bed weed-free and mulched, and let the ferns grow after harvest to recharge roots. Skip harvesting the first season to build a stronger future crop.
Specifications
- Type: Asparagus officinalis, Mary Washington (heirloom)
- Life Cycle: Perennial vegetable
- Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
- Soil: Well-drained, enriched with compost
- Seed Depth: 1/2 inch
- Spacing: 12–18 inches between plants; rows 3–5 feet apart
- Germination: About 10–20 days in warm soil
- First Harvest: Second or third growing season
- Mature Height (ferns): 4–5 feet
- Hardiness: Suited to a wide range of temperate zones
Water deeply during dry spells and top-dress with compost each spring. Cut back brown ferns after frost, then enjoy your next round of crisp, homegrown spears.