Overview

Cultivate a bountiful harvest of tender, flavorful spears right in your own garden with our premium Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns. These are not just any plants; you receive 10 robust, 2-year-old crowns, providing a significant head start to your asparagus patch. Asparagus is a highly sought-after perennial vegetable, meaning with proper care, these plants will return year after year, offering a delicious and healthy addition to your culinary repertoire. The ‘Grande F1’ variety is known for its vigorous growth and excellent spear quality, making it a favorite among home gardeners and commercial growers alike. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing asparagus at home and harvesting your own fresh produce.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a member of the lily family and is prized for its tender shoots, which emerge in early spring. Planting these mature 2-year old asparagus plants allows for a quicker establishment and an earlier, albeit light, harvest compared to planting one-year crowns or seeds. This makes them an ideal choice for gardeners eager to enjoy their first crop sooner. With their graceful, feathery foliage that persists long after harvest, asparagus plants also add an attractive element to the garden landscape.

Key Benefits

Investing in Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns offers numerous advantages for the home gardener, transforming your plot into a source of fresh, gourmet produce. These perennial plants provide a sustainable and rewarding gardening experience.

• Long-Term Harvests: As a perennial vegetable, these Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns establish once and continue to produce delicious spears for 15-20 years or even longer, offering an enduring return on your initial planting effort.
• Early Production: By planting 2-year old asparagus plants, you significantly shorten the waiting period for your first harvest. While light cuttings are recommended in the first year after planting, regular harvests can begin sooner than with younger crowns.
• Exceptional Flavor and Quality: The ‘Grande F1’ variety is celebrated for producing thick, tender, and succulent spears with a superior taste, perfect for gourmet meals and fresh eating.
• Nutrient-Rich Vegetable: Asparagus is packed with vitamins (A, C, E, K, B6), folate, iron, and fiber, making it a highly nutritious addition to any diet.
• Beautiful Garden Addition: Beyond its edible spears, asparagus develops into attractive, fern-like foliage during the summer months, adding texture and greenery to your garden long after harvest.
• Sustainable Gardening: Growing asparagus at home reduces your carbon footprint and provides a direct connection to your food source, promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Ideal for Fall Planting: Specifically suited for fall planting asparagus, these crowns have ample time to establish roots before the growing season, contributing to stronger plants and better yields.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of your Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns requires attention to specific environmental conditions and ongoing care. Asparagus thrives in a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil. Choose a permanent bed, as these perennial vegetable plants will occupy the space for many years. Ensure the site receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

For optimal growth, soil pH is crucial; aim for a range of 7.0-7.2. Before planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Dig trenches 8-10 inches deep and 12-14 inches wide. Create a mound of soil at the bottom of the trench, and spread the roots of each 2-year old asparagus plant over the mound, spacing them 12-14 inches apart. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil, gradually filling the trench as the spears grow throughout the first season. Maintaining consistent moisture during the establishment year is vital, especially in lighter soils, but avoid waterlogging. Fertilize in the establishment year with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 in August, working it into the top 2 inches of soil. In subsequent years, apply fertilizer in early spring and again after harvest.

Weed control is essential, particularly in the first few years, as asparagus plants do not compete well with weeds. Mulching can help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. In the fall, allow the fern-like foliage to die back naturally, then cut it down to about 2 inches above the ground. This helps prevent diseases and prepares the plants for dormancy. Understanding the specific needs for fall planting asparagus will lead to a more robust and productive asparagus patch, allowing you to enjoy fresh spears from your own garden for many seasons. These tips will help you in growing asparagus at home successfully.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 individual Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns, each being a robust 2-year-old plant. These crowns are shipped dormant and bare-root, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. The 2-year age means they have already developed a strong root system, which is crucial for quick establishment and earlier harvests. While the crowns themselves are compact for shipping, they will rapidly send up spears and develop extensive fern-like foliage, typically reaching heights of 3-5 feet during the growing season. The ‘Grande F1’ variety is known for its consistent production of medium to large-sized spears, offering excellent uniformity. With proper care and fall planting asparagus, you can anticipate a light harvest in the spring following planting, with full production commencing in the second spring after planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these asparagus crowns get? A: You will receive 10 individual Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns, which are 2-year-old dormant root systems. Once planted, the fern-like foliage typically grows 3-5 feet tall during the summer months, while the edible spears emerge from the crown in spring.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Asparagus is an outdoor perennial vegetable. These 2-year old asparagus plants should be planted directly in your garden bed where they will remain for many years, providing annual harvests.
• Q: How much sunlight does asparagus need? A: Asparagus thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and spear production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While initial bed preparation and planting require some effort, once established, asparagus is relatively low-maintenance. The key is proper site selection, consistent watering in the first year, and annual fertilization. It’s an excellent choice for those interested in growing asparagus at home.
• Q: What condition will the asparagus crowns arrive in? A: Your Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns will arrive as dormant, bare-root plants. This is the ideal state for planting, ensuring minimal transplant shock and robust establishment.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these asparagus crowns? A: These Grande F1 Asparagus Crowns are specifically suited for fall planting asparagus. Planting in the fall allows the root system to establish well before the demands of spring growth.
• Q: What USDA zones are suitable for growing Grande F1 Asparagus? A: ‘Grande F1’ asparagus is generally hardy in USDA Zones 3-8, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States.
• Q: How long until I can harvest from these 2-year old asparagus plants? A: Because they are 2-year old asparagus plants, you can expect a light harvest the spring after planting. Full, regular harvests typically begin in the second spring after planting, offering succulent spears for years to come.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for Grande F1 Asparagus? A: Asparagus prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 7.0 and 7.2. Amending your soil with organic matter before planting is highly recommended for these perennial vegetable plants.
• Q: Can I grow this variety in containers? A: While possible, asparagus requires a significant amount of root space and is best grown directly in a dedicated garden bed for long-term success and optimal yields.