Asparagus growers?

[Jenn_M]

I'm planning to plant about 25 crowns this year. Once they are fully established (assuming all of the thrive, a girl can hope, right?) what could I expect for a yield? I'm not sure how many stalks you get off of one plant.

[peilover010202]

Well, depeding on if you buy 1st year or 2nd year crowns, asparagus shouldn't be harvested until the 3rd year. And only for a limited time, 2 weeks.

In the 4th year, you can expect somewhere around 5-10 stalks per crown. Of these, some may not be large enough to harvest (they should be a pinky size diameter). You also want to leave a few stalks because they help "feed" that crown during the rest of the season so that you have good growth the next year.

Does that help?

[Jenn_M]

They would be 2 year crowns. I did know about waiting to harvest but was wondering since I'm getting 2 year crowns- those count as the first 2 years? As in, I could harvest lightly next year?

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by Jenn_M

They would be 2 year crowns. I did know about waiting to harvest but was wondering since I'm getting 2 year crowns- those count as the first 2 years? As in, I could harvest lightly next year?

Technically, maybe. But since you've got to let them get used to your soil and over transplant shock, you may not be able to snag a few spears this year anyway. Last year I planted 1yo crowns, so this year they'll be 2yo (but their 3rd season I guess?), and I might get a light harvest. The year after that, when they're going into their 4th season I should be able to harvest.

And most folks say you can get 1-4lbs of asparagus from each plant. Um, yeah, if I get that much from mine, I'll be having an "asparagus for sale" sign out front when we get sick of 'em (I planted 114 or 116 crowns last year).

[Jenn_M]

Wow!! Thats A LOT of asparagus!!

Off topic- I used to subscribe to your blog and I really enjoyed reading it, I'm sorry you had to make it private to deal with unwanted people. Hopefully I wasn't one of them.

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by Jenn_M

Wow!! Thats A LOT of asparagus!!

Off topic- I used to subscribe to your blog and I really enjoyed reading it, I'm sorry you had to make it private to deal with unwanted people. Hopefully I wasn't one of them.

Uh, I seriously doubt it was you.
You're more than welcome to sign up for a free xanga account and friend me to see my insanity again though.

[Blooming]

I bought asparagus seeds was that a bad idea?

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by Blooming

I bought asparagus seeds was that a bad idea?

No, not a bad idea. It'll just be 4 years before you can harvest. That's all.
I just got 1yo crowns to get a jump on it. I like asparagus.

[henny penny]

We planted 25 asparagus crowns about 9 or 10 years ago and usually get tired of asparagus before the season is over (eating a big mess of it about every other day for several weeks). Ours took to the soil really well so our harvest may be larger than most. We planted more crowns last year though, now that our family is expanding.

[Jenn_M]

Good to know, Henny Penny!

Blooming- I had thought about that too, but I'm impatient!

[Blooming]

I may have to buy some crowns, I didn't know they would take four years.