Asparagus is one of the few perennial vegetables that grows well in NC. Once established a bed of asparagus can produce for many years. The best time to plant asparagus is late January to late March, while the plants are dormant. Asparagus likes to grow in areas that receive at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Asparagus likes good drainage so planting in a raised bed is ideal. To produce enough asparagus for table-use plant 10 crowns per family member.

Soil preparation is important. Whether you have clay or a sandy loam amending the soil with organic matter is always encouraged. We recommend doing a soil test especially to check the pH and make sure it is around 6.2 because asparagus grows poorly in acid soils. Apply lime if needed along with the organic matter and till the soil deeply. Follow the soil test recommendation for additional fertilizer needs.

Asparagus crowns should be planted in rows 5 feet apart with the crowns spaced 12 inches apart in the row. Plant the crowns in a furrow 8 inches deep. Be sure to make the furrow wide enough to spread out the roots, and make sure the buds are pointing upward when planting. Cover the crowns with 2 inches of soil. Then pull soil around the plants gradually until the entire trench is filled. The first and second year you will be developing the crown. The third year is when you will start reaping the benefits of the spears.

In the spring just before spears start to grow, broadcast a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 on the bed at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 square feet.

Give the bed a second application of fertilizer at the end of the cutting season. Allow the plants to grow in the call until they have turned brown, and then cut down the fern and destroy it. If you remove the fern before frost then it will impact next year’s crop of spears. Be careful when harvesting the spears that you do not cut the newly emerging spears. You can cut or snap the spears at ground level. They even make a special asparagus harvesting tool to assist with avoiding damage to other spears. After harvesting be sure to cool the spears down quickly because fiber develops rapidly after harvesting. Recommended varieties for NC include Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight, Jersey Gem, Atlas and Mary Washington.

I hope you try growing your own asparagus or frequent your local markets to purchase this Spring delicacy. My favorite way of eating asparagus is to grill it or roast it in the oven.

In the next edition of this column, you will learn the health benefits of asparagus. If you have gardening questions, feel free to call your local Cooperative Extension office at 919-496-3344.