When to Fertilize Asparagus Asparagus should be fertilized prior to planting, in the spring of each season, and following the final harvest. Early spring is also an excellent time to fertilize the asparagus planting. This early fertilization encourages root growth so the plants become fully established. In mild climates, the root crowns of asparagus need no special winter care, but in cooler regions, winterizing the asparagus bed is a must. Fertilizing Asparagus. Ideally, you should apply citrus fertilizer at least three times a year between January-February, May-June, and September-October. For established beds, scatter 2 pounds of 10-20-10 fertilizer (or its equivalent) per 20 feet of row before growth begins in the spring, late January, or early February in most areas of Texas. And one of the most important components is making sure you have a good fertilizer. For proper fall asparagus care, clean-up should begin after the first frost. When to Fertilize Asparagus. In the absence of a test, you can fertilize the soil prior to planting your asparagus. N.p., n.d. During the period of growth, March to August, you will need to fertilize every three to four weeks. The first 3 years in spring, apply a well-balanced fertilizer. A 2-inch layer worked into the top 12 inches of the bed works well. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. . In the peak of asparagus season, asparagus spears can grow up to 2 inches per day, producing bountiful harvests for gardeners to enjoy. Care of an asparagus bed after the last harvest is critical to long-term productivity. Healthy asparagus plants can produce a reliable harvest for 10 years or more. Approximately 50 pounds of compost or manure per 100 square feet can be applied at this time. Perennial asparagus beds can produce spears for decades and decades with proper care throughout the years. Just 0.10 pounds of pure nitrogen covers a 100-square-foot area. “Asparagus – An Early Spring Treat.” West Virginia University Extension Service. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. If you planted asparagus earlier in the year, the shoots are elongated and becoming woody. An application of 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed provides sufficient nutrition for the young plants. Starting the fourth year, delay application until June or July (immediately after harvest). Asparagus performs best in a soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. After the final harvest of the season, remove all weeds by hand weeding, hoeing, or shallow tillage (less than two inches). Apply 50 pounds of barnyard manure per 100 square feet. Fertilize Twice A Year Asparagus is a relatively heavy feeder. Fertilize your asparagus fern. Asparagus has been considered a spring garden delicacy since Roman times. . In the spring, you want to get the crowns in the ground when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to this video from the University of Maine. Fertilizing Instructions Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Asparagus is unusual among garden vegetables because it is perennial, growing for multiple years in the same location. Asparagus is a perennial. The beds should also be fertilized in mid to late April with two to three pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. A 5-10-10 or 8-24-24 fertilizer formula will work well. Work into the soil a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer, such as 34-0-0, at a rate of a few ounces per one-hundred square feet. Controlling Weeds. 26 Feb. 2014. Pouring the solution on the soil around the plants prevents it from burning the foliage. Web. Work in two to three inches of compost then add a 10-20-10 fertilizer at a rate of two pounds per one-hundred square feet to the soil that is worked to a depth of six inches. Fertilizer is a great gardening tool and a simple way to nourish your gardens. Apply one to two pounds of an all-purpose fertilizer such as 10-10-10 per one-hundred square feet. In borders, they should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer, equal parts of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. Always w… Asked March 4, 2019, 6:29 PM EST. Weeding- To avoid accidentally breaking off spears, weed each spring before the first shoots come up. 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. For a complete background on how to grow asparagus plants, we recommend starting from the beginning. It's generally a good idea to think about fertilizing asparagus in the hot summer months of July or August. Established plantings: Fertilize once a year after harvest using a fertilizer and rate recommended by a soil test or a complete, balanced fertilizer (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or something similar) at the rate suggested on the bag. It will not perform well if the soil pH is lower than 6.0 so you will need to raise or lower the Ph of the soil accordingly. Because asparagus beds are permanent installations and are not tilled or cultivated deeply each year, it is important to keep weeds, especially … Asparagus is a perennial vegetable. 27 Feb. 2014. The female plants bear seeds, which take considerable energy fro… A. Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. The next season, harvest all spears that appear for the first four weeks of active growth. N.p., n.d. The list of commonly available varieties has significantly changed in recent years. NOTE: This is part 5 in a series of 10 articles. The first chore in the spring is to cut off the dead asparagus tops at ground level. The plants were big 6 feet tall in summer . Asparagus is among the earliest and tastiest crops each year. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. We have a nice bed of asparagus 3 years old. During this time, a healthy plant should produce around 20 spears. Asparagus should be fertilized prior to planting, in the spring of each season, and following the final harvest. Regular fertilization during the first three years following planting ensures healthy root and plant development. Asparagus ferns do best when soil is rich in organic matter. You should use one of the best garden fertilizers on this list because EVERY plant NEEDS it. Beginning in the fourth year, apply fertilizer after the final harvest in late spring or early summer, instead of a spring application. Any home gardener can grow and enjoy this vegetable. And like all perennials fall clean-up and fertilizing are good practices to incorporate into your seasonal chores. A balanced fertilizer works best for asparagus in the early spring, before shoots emerge, according to the Iowa State University Extension. Weeds compete with asparagus by using nutrients which would otherwise be used by the growing crop. To understand exactly what additional nutrients asparagus will require, you should always perform a soil test and base the fertilizing decisions on the results. Before planting a new asparagus bed, broadcast and spade in or incorporate ¼ pound of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium per 20 feet of row or as directed by a soil test report. Asparagus need plenty of nutrition to grow healthily, and there are a few steps you need to take before you get to harvest. After the final harvest at the end of the season, the soil will benefit from additional nitrogen. Asparagus production guide Vincent A. Fritz, Carl J. Rosen, William D. Hutchison, Roger L. Becker, Janna Beckerman, Jerry A. Wright, Cindy B.S. Standard varieties like Mary Washington, Martha Washington and Waltham Washington are still being offered; but a number of new varieties that are either predominantly or all male recently have been introduced in to common usage. You can continue using a balanced fertilizer or switch to a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 10-5-5 blend, if the foliage is yellow or weak. After 10-15 years the crown and resulting rhizome radius can reach 2 feet or more in diameter. The ferns may have even begun to emerge from the shoots. If you are one of the 50% of gardeners that do not fertilize, you may be asking why you should start now? Mature asparagus plants have similar nutrient requirements as young plants, but they require a later application. How to Plant Collard Greens in Hot Weather, How to Grow Artichokes and Asparagus Together, University of California: Growing Asparagus in Your Garden, How to Grow Garlic Chives and Soil Temperature. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Early spring is also an excellent time to fertilize the asparagus planting. The asparagus harvest season lasts about 6-8 weeks, from early May to late June in Minnesota. Asparagus spears are crisp, tender and flavorful. Asparagus plants are naturally either male or female. Portland Oregon. Make sure to dilute the fertilizer to ½ strength. 7. When should I fertilize and what fertilizer is best? Fertilize asparagus in early spring for the first three years, then switch to late June after harvest once you have started picking the shoots. A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, and even up to eight weeks. After the last harvest, apply an additional 1 to 2 pounds per 20 feet of row. Asparagus remains in the same bed for 10 years or longer, so providing optimum nutrients at planting encourages a healthy, long-lived stand. “Answers to Frequently Asked Asparagus Questions .” Iowa State University Horticulture and Home Pest News. Asparagus should be fertilized prior to planting, in the spring of each season, and following the final harvest. Otherwise, add two to five pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. If you ke… Proper fertilization further ensures a good asparagus harvest. This will lessen the chances of fungal diseases overwintering in the foliage. Prepping asparagus beds for winter will protect the roots from the cold and encourage the plants to go dormant, allowing the plant to rest before its next growth phase in the spring. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is one of the earliest harvested vegetables each spring. Fertilize Asparagus Manure Ph Coffee Grounds. Nitrogen fertilizer works best when applied in June after harvesting ends. Use a balanced fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, such as a 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 blend. An asparagus planting may produce good crops for 15 to 20 years when good cultural practices are followed. Q: We have a nice bed of asparagus that’s 3 years old and about 3-by-2 feet that had lots of large spears last year.The plants were big – 6 feet tall in summer. A bed of asparagus plants provides an abundance of stalks for several weeks and keeps producing for many years. Asparagus plants grow outward from the central crown by fleshy roots called rhizomes. Web. Applying a thin top dressing of compost can also add nutrients and help replenish the soil. Asparagus requires early spring fertilization that's done just as new growth begins. You should purchase a soluble (liquid), all-purpose fertilizer. 27 Feb. 2014. It will come back for decades once established. Why Fertilize Your Asparagus? Using adequate amounts of compost prior to planting improves both the soil quality and nutrient store in the garden bed. . To prevent burning, make a shallow furrow in the space between the asparagus rows and sprinkle the fertilizer into the furrow before covering it. About 3' by 2' that had lots of of large spears last year. If you are going to grow purple asparagus from seed, you want to get the seeds going pretty early in the spring. Because this crop will occupy the land for many years, you should select the location and prepare the bed carefully. Watering immediately after application rinses any residue from the leaves and helps the nutrients leach into the root zone of the plants. Regular fertilization during the first three years following planting ensures healthy root and plant development. Alternatively, use a soluble formula diluted in water as specified on the label. After that, fertilizing monthly should be adequate. Fertilizer can burn asparagus plants and crowns when applied incorrectly. Asparagus requires no further fertilization until the plants are actively growing. You can fertilize your asparagus bed in early spring prior to the emergence of the new spears. If available, use a nitrogen fertilizer such as 21-0-0 at this time. We have clay soil that was amended when planted. Plant asparagus where there is plenty of sun in the spring and the soil is rich in organic matter and well-drained. While the spring top-dressing will feed and add organic matter to the asparagus patch, you’ll get even better results if you feed lightly in early spring and again in mid-summer with a high-phosphorus organic fertilizer, like fish meal, which has a typical N-P-K value of 8-12-2. Web. “Growing Asparagus In The Home Garden, HYG-1603-94.” Ohio State University Extension. During the production period, pull weeds rather than using a hoe. Plants Asparagus is planted by purchasing 1-year-old “crowns” or roots from a garden dealer, seed supplier or nurseryman. Asparagus is a heavy feeder, and you should also give it a dose of fertilizer in mid-spring when it is actively growing. The large, tuberous roots which develop over several years then nourish and support the crops of edible shoots appearing each spring, so choose a spot where the plants can stay permanently. Hintons Plumbing Supplies ☰ × Home; Picture Gallery; About Us; Hintons Bathrooms; Contact Us; Posted on December 29, 2020 by Remove the asparagus tops to the ground. Asparagus fertilize when and what. After the 8 week harvest period – late June in southern Wicsonsin, fertilize with a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 to help rejuvenate the crowns that have Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Unlike most garden vegetables, asparagus is a perennial that will reemerge year after year. If you plant and manage it properly, it will produce for 15 years or more. Read on to see a few more good fertilizer options and get some good advice on fertilizing your asparagus … Asparagus is an early season vegetable, which means it is time to plant it when the weather is still chilly. The asparagus drains nutrients from the soil as it grows, but starting with a nutrient-rich bed and fertilizing annually replenishes the nutrients so the plants have the necessary elements for fresh spear production each spring. N.p., n.d. You can substitute well composted manure for standard compost, if desired. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Answer: Asparagus is a hardy perennial. Amending and fertilizing every year would involve disrupting the crown and roots of the plant and is not recommended.