‘Purple Passion’ produces purple spears with a mild, nutty flavor and are reputedly sweeter than most other asparagus varieties. Purple color is especially nice for salads. Spears turn green when cooked.
‘Jersey Knight’ is extremely vigorous and produces large, succulent spears. Excellent flavor. Plants are resistant to rust, crown rot, and fusarium. It performs equally well in heavy, clay-like soils.
- 20 crowns will yield about 10 pounds of asparagus each season.
- Plant asparagus crowns from March 15 to April 15 for best results in our area!
- Soak asparagus roots for several hours or overnight in tepid water prior to planting. Dig a trench 8″ deep and plant crowns about 2 inches deep at the bottom with 12″ spacing between crowns. Add soil from the trench sides over the crowns as the plants grow.
- Although the planting time is the same, avoid planting leeks, garlic, chives, and onions next to your crowns, as they will stunt the growth of your asparagus. Asparagus will stunt the growth of potatoes, so keep them separate as well.
Established asparagus will produce spears for up to eight weeks yielding around 20 spears. Plants in a sunny location with good drainage, water regularly — about 1″ per week the first season — and fertilize for best production.
Asparagus can be grown in a raised bed with a soil mix that includes loamy, organic matter to ensure good drainage.
Asparagus is a perennial crop and can remain productive for 10 to 12 years.