Asparagus would be one of the most valuable perennials for the vegetable garden. You will need about 20 - 25 crowns for an average family . They are best suited in cool to cold climates, but with extra care they can be grown in warmer climates giving you reasonable healthy spears.

ASPARAGUS ----- Mary Washington
A high yielding plant which is easy grow and produces multiple spears during its peak growing time. The spears require regular picking to encourage and increase more growth. Ten asparagus plants should be sufficient to supply an average family, and well-cared-for plants will go on producing for at least twenty years.

Asparagus crowns do not require planting each winter, and one planting should last you many years.
They are harvested starting about September onwards depending on the season. The plants are not difficult to grow and will thrive under a variety of conditions. They will tolerate lightly drying out, though the yield and quality are greatly reduced, but a good supply of water will help to produce a large yield of juicy, crisp shoots for quick-freezing or bottling. With proper care, your asparagus bed should produce for 15 years or more.
To reposition the plants to another location
Asparagus crowns can be removed from the ground and relocated during the winter months. The yellow fern growth should be cut down to ground level before digging commences.

SOIL PREPARATION
Asparagus are heavy feeders and require a rich soil that is well prepared before planting. The best type of soil for asparagus is a deep, rich, well-drained, sandy loam. Heavy (clay) soils are reasonably satisfactory if the top layer is of good depth 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in.) and an abundance of organic matter and Gypsum Clay Breaker has been combined into the soil.
A deep soil is necessary because asparagus is a deep-rooted plant. Good drainage is essential, and while flooding the plants regularly for a short time during the summer may be permitted, the surface water must be removed quickly during the growing season. Weeds must be eliminated during the growing period to prevent loss of fertiliser and moisture of the Asparagus plants. The ideal site for Asparagus plants should be a full sunny exposure. Work a handful of Blood & Bone into the soil two weeks before planting and feed during the growing season with a high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage lush top growth. Cut away the dry and yellow fern leaves in the winter and give the a light feed in late winter to encourage spears in spring.

PLANTING
Plant asparagus plants late winter to early in the spring, before growth occurs from the crown. Dig a hole about 15 cm (6 in.) deep. Place a small mound of earth in the hole; then set the plant on the mound so that the roots hang down without restriction and are evenly spread out in the hole.
Cover the crown with 5 cm (2 in.) of topsoil and as the shoots elongate, add more and more soil until the hole is completely filled. The top of the crown (roots) should be 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5 in.) below the soil surface. The between-row spacing is 80 to 90cm (2 1/2 to 3 ft), with an in-row spacing of 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in).
Green asparagus is cut from level ground beds when the spears are 15 -20 cm long and before the tips are open. The blanched (white) asparagus, make a mound over the rows to a depth of 25 - 30 cm in late winter and as the tips of the spears break through the soil surface, push a sharp knife through the ground to cutting the spear obout 15 cm below. The mounds can be levelled when the fern growth is cut off in the winter.

HARVESTING
The crown and root system must be allowed to develop for one year before harvesting begins. Your may be tempted to do some harvesting the first year after planting, but bear in mind that removing spears will result in stress that will weaken the plants. Asparagus can be harvested for a 2- 3 week period the second year after planting. During the third, fourth and subsequent years, a full cutting season of 6 to 10 weeks is permissible.
It is not advisable to continue cutting well-established asparagus plants after the end of December in any year. During the cutting period, the plant draws on food reserves stored in the root system during the previous growing season. The top-growth must be allowed to develop after December in order to replace the food stores in the fleshy roots. Excess harvesting in any year puts additional stress on the plant and may result in decreased yield the following year. The cutting season usually begins depending on growing conditions, under very favourable conditions, daily cuttings may be required, but every second day is usually sufficient. The shoots should be cut when they reach a height of approximately 5 cm (6 in.). They should be cut just below ground level. Special care should be taken so not to damage new shoots still underground. The growth takes place near the tip of the shoot. Injuring this tip, even while it is below the soil surface, will usually stop the growth of the shoot and prevent its appearance. Cutting is best done with a sharp knife that is pushed into the ground so that it severs the spear about 2 1/2 cm (1 in.) below ground.
Fresh picked spears will keep for several days in the crisper tray of a fridge.

If you would like a recipe go to food from the Vegi Garden.