Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with Pacific Purple asparagus crowns, an exceptional choice for both novice and experienced growers seeking a premium, gourmet vegetable. These 2-year bare root plants are renowned for their distinctive vibrant purple spears and deliciously sweet, nutty flavor, setting them apart from traditional green varieties. Known scientifically as Asparagus officinalis ‘Pacific Purple’, this variety is celebrated for its ability to establish quickly and produce generous, high-quality harvests. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home garden, create a productive raised bed, or establish a long-term perennial food plot, these asparagus crowns offer an unparalleled combination of visual appeal and culinary delight. With proper care, these plants will provide abundant, nutrient-rich spears for many years, becoming a staple in your spring harvest.

The ‘Pacific Purple’ variety thrives in a range of climates, performing particularly well in warmer regions but adaptable to many USDA zones. Its robust nature ensures a reliable return year after year, making it a sustainable and economical choice for fresh, homegrown produce. The strong, healthy 2-year asparagus crowns are ready to plant, offering a head start on growth compared to seeds, allowing you to enjoy your first meaningful harvest sooner. This guide will provide all the necessary information to successfully grow purple asparagus and enjoy its unique benefits.

Key Benefits

Choosing to cultivate Pacific Purple asparagus crowns brings a multitude of advantages to your garden and kitchen. This sweet gourmet asparagus offers not only a unique flavor profile but also robust growing characteristics that make it a gardener’s favorite.

• Gourmet Quality & Flavor: Enjoy exceptionally sweet, nutty-tasting spears that are less fibrous than green varieties, perfect for fresh eating, roasting, grilling, or steaming. The unique flavor profile elevates any meal.
• Vibrant Visual Appeal: The stunning purple color of the spears adds an elegant touch to your garden and plate, making it an attractive and conversation-starting crop.
• Vigorous Growth & Productivity: These 2-year crowns establish quickly, leading to earlier and more abundant harvests. The variety is known for producing tight spear tips and a high yield of market-quality produce.
• Adaptable to Warm Climates: While hardy in many zones, Pacific Purple asparagus crowns are particularly well-suited for warmer climates, where they exhibit strong performance and consistent production.
• Long-Term Perennial Return: Once established, these bare root asparagus plants provide delicious harvests for 15-20 years or more, offering an excellent long-term investment for your food garden.
• Nutrient-Rich Harvests: Asparagus is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet directly from your backyard.
• Versatile Culinary Use: Excellent for a wide range of dishes, from simple side dishes to sophisticated culinary creations, enhancing both flavor and presentation.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of Pacific Purple asparagus crowns requires attention to a few key environmental factors to ensure healthy, productive plants. Asparagus is a long-term crop, so preparing its permanent home thoroughly is crucial. These bare root asparagus plants thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a site that receives ample sun and is protected from strong winds. Good air circulation is also important to prevent fungal diseases. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. A pH between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal. Before planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Dig trenches approximately 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches wide, mounding a ridge of soil in the center of the trench.

When planting your 2-year asparagus crowns, spread the roots over the mound in the trench, ensuring the crown is positioned upright. Cover the crowns with about 2-3 inches of soil, then water thoroughly. As the spears grow, gradually fill the trench with soil until it is level with the surrounding ground. During the first year, focus on establishing a strong root system; avoid harvesting any spears. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer in spring and after the fern dies back in fall. In colder zones (USDA 3-5), apply a thick layer of mulch in late fall to protect the crowns from freezing temperatures. Watch for common asparagus pests like asparagus beetles and control them with organic methods if necessary. Proper care will lead to robust plants and abundant harvests of your sweet gourmet asparagus.

Size & Details

This offering includes 25 Pacific Purple asparagus crowns, provided as 2-year bare root plants. These crowns are mature enough to establish quickly in your garden, typically beginning full harvest around year 3. Each bare root crown is carefully selected to ensure vigor and health upon arrival. When planted, these plants will develop into robust perennial producers, with mature ferns reaching up to 4-5 feet in height during the growing season. The spears themselves are typically 6-8 inches long when ready for harvest. We recommend spacing the crowns 12-18 inches apart to allow ample room for root development and optimal spear production. The ‘Pacific Purple’ variety is known for its firm, smooth texture and tight spear heads, indicative of high market-grade quality. These plants are suitable for USDA Zones 3–10, making them versatile for many North American climates. They are shipped dormant and ready for fall or spring planting, providing flexibility for gardeners.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are Pacific Purple asparagus crowns? A: Pacific Purple asparagus crowns are 2-year-old bare root plants of the ‘Pacific Purple’ asparagus variety. They are known for producing vibrant purple, sweet, and tender spears, offering a gourmet alternative to traditional green asparagus.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these 2-year asparagus crowns? A: The best time to plant these bare root asparagus plants is typically in early spring after the last frost, or in the fall in areas with mild winters. This allows the roots to establish before extreme temperatures.
• Q: How much space do I need to grow purple asparagus? A: For optimal growth and production, plant each of your Pacific Purple asparagus crowns 12-18 inches apart within a row, with rows spaced 3-5 feet apart. This ensures adequate room for root expansion and fern development.
• Q: How long until I can harvest my sweet gourmet asparagus? A: While these are 2-year crowns, it’s generally recommended to allow them to establish fully for two growing seasons before a significant harvest. Full harvest typically begins in year 3, yielding abundant spears.
• Q: Is this variety suitable for warm climates? A: Yes, the ‘Pacific Purple’ variety performs especially well in warmer climates, producing tight spear tips and high rates of market-quality harvests, though it is also hardy in USDA Zones 3-10.
• Q: What kind of soil do these bare root asparagus plants prefer? A: They prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Amending the soil with organic matter like compost before planting is highly beneficial for establishing healthy root systems.
• Q: How much sunlight do these asparagus crowns need? A: For the best growth and spear production, your Pacific Purple asparagus crowns require full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: Are these plants easy to care for for beginners? A: Asparagus requires some initial bed preparation and patience, but once established, it is a relatively low-maintenance perennial crop, making it suitable for dedicated beginner gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the asparagus crowns arrive in? A: The crowns will arrive as dormant, bare root plants. This is the ideal state for planting and ensures they can be easily transplanted into your garden.
• Q: Can I grow purple asparagus in containers or raised beds? A: Yes, grow purple asparagus successfully in large raised beds or very large containers, provided they have good drainage and sufficient depth (at least 18-24 inches) to accommodate the extensive root system.