When Should My Asparagus Come Up?

When Spears Appear As asparagus emerges in the spring, the spears are the first visible growth in the stages of growing asparagus. These spears may be harvested when they are 6 to 8 inches long, typically starting in mid-March and continuing through mid-June. On a mature plant, this harvest may last for up to 10 weeks.

When should asparagus sprout?

Asparagus spears will be ready for harvest shortly after the soil temperature reaches 50°F (10°C) in early spring —that’s when spears will begin to emerge. Two weeks before spears begin breaking through the soil, pull the winter mulch back and cultivate the asparagus patch lightly loosening the soil and uprooting weeds.

How long does it take for asparagus roots to come up?

The seedlings themselves require several weeks to reach two inches in height, the size right for transplanting into a growing bed. It takes three to four years for a young plant to develop the maturity needed to support annual harvests that last four to six weeks. Until then, one must harvest sparingly.

Why did my asparagus not come up this year?

Harvest was too early or too heavy. Plants must be allowed to store food for the next season before they go dormant. Asparagus should be picked the first year it is planted; the second year harvest for two weeks and the next year for 4 weeks.

Does asparagus come up the first year?

The first year after planting, you can harvest a few spears from each plant. Pick for about two weeks and then stop so the fronds can unfold and begin feeding the root system. Harvest for three weeks the next year, and four to six weeks after that.

Why does my asparagus look like a tree?

This ferny growth is no cause for alarm. It actually means the plant is healthy and strong.

Is asparagus ready to pick in spring?

When the spears appear in spring, harvest them when they are 6 to 10 inches above the soil line, but before the flower buds are open. Simply cut or snap off the spears at ground level. If you notice decreased production and vigor in your asparagus plants, stop harvesting and let the plant store energy for next season.

Can you plant asparagus too deep?

Avoid planting asparagus at the wrong depth by knowing the right depth before you get started. Asparagus should be planted one foot beneath the soil. If you plant asparagus crowns too shallow, they won’t take root. It could introduce them to the wrong conditions which might encourage rot.

How often do you water asparagus?

Asparagus needs regular watering, especially while young; give it 1 to 2 inches of water per week during its first two growing seasons; give older plants about 1 inch per week. If you give them a good start when you first plant them, and you’ll have fewer problems in future years.

How deep do asparagus roots go?

Growing Conditions Since asparagus is a long-lived perennial, do not plant where trees or tall shrubs might eventually shade the plants or compete for nutrients and water. Soil – The crown and root system can grow to an enormous size: 5 to 6 feet in diameter and 10 to 15 feet deep.

Why is my asparagus so skinny?

Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.

Should I let asparagus go to seed?

Ferning out in asparagus is actually a good thing, as it indicates that photosynthesis is being promoted, therefore, nutrition production and absorption increases. As the asparagus ferns out, female spears produce green berries that eventually turn red. These berries/seeds, however, are unlikely to produce new plants.

Why is my asparagus so thick?

Ferretti explains that crude fiber is the cellulose-based material found in the outer layers of celery and other vegetables. As the asparagus plant matures, less growth is dedicated to producing crude fiber and the spears thicken with soft, soluble fiber and other nutrients.

Does asparagus regrow after cutting?

After the end of the harvest season, the spears should be allowed to grow. A spear is really just a plant shoot, and the shoots will grow into the mature fern that recharges the crown for the next harvest season.

Does asparagus multiply?

When asparagus plants are growing in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time. The ability of asparagus plants to multiply means that sharing the bounty is part of the fun of growing this perennial vegetable.

Why does asparagus grow in ditches?

Though a lot of people think fat asparagus is tough, the texture really has more to do with the age of the plant… the older the plant, the larger the stems. Asparagus regularly grows in the ditch with weeds and bramble so it gets mixed in easily and makes it very hard to see, so be prepared for a true hunt!