Overview

Transform your garden into a productive haven with Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots. This exceptional open-pollinated (heirloom) variety, Asparagus officinalis ‘Viking KB3’, is celebrated for its robust nature and impressive yields. Developed from the classic ‘Mary Washington’ variety in Ontario, Canada, it has been specifically selected for its superior performance, producing abundant crops of thick, tender, and incredibly flavorful green spears. Ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners, these heirloom asparagus plants offer a rewarding cultivation experience and a delicious harvest for many years to come. Whether you’re looking to establish a new asparagus bed or enhance an existing one, the Viking KB3 is a superb choice for a reliable and delectable vegetable.

Known for its excellent adaptability, the Viking KB3 thrives across a wide range of climates, making it a versatile addition to gardens in various regions. Its cold hardiness makes it particularly well-suited for colder climates (USDA Zones 3-9), demonstrating lower winterkill compared to many other varieties. Furthermore, it shows remarkable resilience and performs admirably even in hot, dry areas, ensuring a consistent and bountiful harvest. Plant these Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots and enjoy the perennial delight of fresh, homegrown asparagus.

Key Benefits

The Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots offer numerous advantages for the home gardener, ensuring a successful and satisfying harvest:

• High Yields: This variety is renowned for producing heavy crops of asparagus spears, providing a generous supply for your kitchen throughout the harvest season. You’ll enjoy an abundance of fresh, homegrown produce.
• Exceptional Flavor: The spears are thick, tender, and boast a rich, classic asparagus flavor that is superior to many store-bought options. Elevate your culinary creations with truly delicious asparagus.
• Cold Hardiness: Specifically bred for resilience, the Viking KB3 is particularly well-suited for colder climates (USDA Zones 3-9), exhibiting excellent winter survival rates and reduced winterkill. This makes it a dependable choice for many regions.
• Heat & Drought Tolerance: Beyond its cold tolerance, this adaptable variety also performs well in hot and dry conditions, showcasing its versatility and robust nature in diverse environments.
• Heirloom Variety: As an open-pollinated heirloom, you can save seeds from your plants to grow new ones in subsequent seasons, preserving this valuable genetic line and ensuring future harvests. It’s a sustainable choice for your garden.
• Improved Selection: An improved selection from the classic ‘Mary Washington’ variety, the Viking KB3 offers enhanced characteristics and performance, building on a foundation of proven success. This makes it a reliable option for those who want to grow asparagus from bare roots.
• Perennial Harvest: Once established, asparagus beds will produce for 15-20 years or more, providing a long-term, low-maintenance source of fresh vegetables. Investing in Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots means years of delicious harvests.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To successfully cultivate your Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots, proper care and planting techniques are essential. Asparagus thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Choose a well-drained site, as asparagus does not tolerate wet feet. Prepare your soil by amending it with plenty of organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve fertility and drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.0) is ideal. Dig trenches approximately 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Create a mound of soil at the bottom of the trench, and spread the roots of the bare root crowns over the mound, ensuring the crown is positioned upright.

Space the crowns 12-18 inches apart within the trench, and maintain 3-5 feet between rows. Cover the crowns with 2-3 inches of soil initially. As the spears grow, gradually fill the trench with soil, leaving the tips exposed, until the trench is completely filled. Water thoroughly after planting. During the first year, focus on establishing a strong root system; do not harvest any spears. Allow the ferns to grow and mature, which will help store energy in the roots for future production. Keep the bed free of weeds, which can compete with the young asparagus plants for nutrients and moisture. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, and again after the last harvest.

Asparagus is a long-term investment, and patience in the first year will yield abundant harvests for decades. Protect your heirloom asparagus plants from pests and diseases by maintaining good air circulation and practicing proper sanitation. In colder zones, a layer of mulch can help protect the crowns during winter. The cold hardy asparagus variety like Viking KB3 is particularly resilient, but winter protection can further enhance its survival and vigor. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, homegrown asparagus from your Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots.

Size & Details

This offering includes 50 Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots, ready for planting in your garden. Each bare root crown is a dormant, mature plant section with a developed root system, ensuring a strong start. Asparagus plants typically grow 3-5 feet tall with a spread of 1.5-2 feet once established. The spears themselves can be harvested when they are 6-8 inches tall and about 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. These bare roots are shipped without soil or pots, making them lightweight and easy to plant upon arrival. They are designed for direct planting into your garden bed, where they will begin to establish and grow.

The Viking KB3 is a medium-late maturing variety, meaning you can expect your first light harvest in the second year after planting, with full production starting in the third year. This long-lived perennial vegetable provides a consistent harvest for 15-20 years or more, making it an excellent investment for your home garden. The robust nature of these Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots ensures they are well-prepared for transplanting and will quickly settle into their new environment, especially when planted in the recommended USDA Zones 3-9. These heirloom asparagus plants are a testament to quality and enduring production.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these asparagus plants get? A: Once established, Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots will grow into mature plants that typically reach 3-5 feet in height with a spread of 1.5-2 feet. The spears themselves are harvested when they are 6-8 inches tall.
• Q: What is the best time to plant Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots? A: The ideal time to plant asparagus bare roots is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. This allows the plants ample time to establish their root system before the heat of summer.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Asparagus is an outdoor perennial vegetable. While the bare roots are planted, the mature plants thrive in garden beds, producing spears season after season.
• Q: How much sunlight does this cold hardy asparagus need? A: Asparagus plants require full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, for optimal growth and spear production. Choose a sunny spot in your garden.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Asparagus is relatively easy to care for once established. The most critical aspects are proper site preparation, initial planting, and patience during the first year of establishment. After that, it requires minimal ongoing maintenance.
• Q: What condition will the bare roots arrive in? A: The Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots will arrive dormant, without soil or a pot. They will be carefully packaged to ensure freshness and viability, ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: When can I start harvesting asparagus spears? A: You should not harvest any spears in the first year after planting. A light harvest can begin in the second year, and full production will start in the third year and continue for decades. This allows the plant to build a strong root system.
• Q: Will these heirloom asparagus plants survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, the Viking KB3 is a very cold-hardy variety, well-suited for USDA Zones 3-9. It has lower winterkill compared to many other varieties, making it a reliable choice for regions with cold winters.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for growing asparagus from bare roots? A: Asparagus prefers well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.0) is ideal. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture.
• Q: Do I need to fertilize my asparagus bed? A: Yes, fertilize your asparagus bed in early spring before new growth appears, and again after the last harvest of the season. Use a balanced fertilizer or compost to replenish nutrients and support vigorous growth of your Viking KB3 asparagus bare roots.