Awarded for their edible stem or spear, asparagus plants are one of the few vegetables that grow perennials, and they are harvested in the spring – long before the other crops sprout. But while most gardeners grow green, white, or purple asparagus through a year -old transplant or “crown”, you can save money and instead make your garden more self -sufficient by growing asparagus from seeds.
In this guide, we will tell you the bases of when and how How to plant asparagus seeds And will teach you how to transplant, care and harvest your asparagus.
When and where to plant asparagus seeds
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The main difference between growing asparagus from seeds and asparagus crowns is that you will have to wait an additional year for harvesting the asparagus grown from the seed. But the good news is that asparagus seeds are easy to grow, and they can be started growing indoors or directly into the garden.
Asparagus seeds usually begin inside the utensils or trays in the early spring – about 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. However, asparagus seeds can also be there Sown directly into the ground Or garden with high bed garden after the last frost of spring.
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How to plant asparagus seeds
Many producers keep asparagus plants in nursery beds for the first year of growth to avoid weed competition and provide the right conditions for strong root growth to young plants. Whether you are planning to grow asparagus seeds indoors or outside, here is said to make a simple nursery bed and sow the seeds of asparagus.
Nursery bed
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To start, choose a place where at least seven hours of direct sunlight per day and follow these tips to make nursery beds.
- Loose the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches and remove any rock and weed.
- Test the soil and modify the soil (if necessary). Asparagus increases well in the rich, good drainage soil with pH between 6.5 and 7.0.
- Before applying asparagus seeds or transplanting, add several inch manure or old manure at a few inches of soil.
Indoor sowing
In the early spring, it takes a little longer to sow asparagus seeds indoors, but it gives you more control over the growing conditions and health of young plants.
- Soak the seeds in water for a few hours before planting. When the seeds are drenched, fill the seed starting tray or utensils with the pre -moistened seeds with the initial mixture.
- Sow one to two asparagus seeds per pot or seedling cell, cover the seed with a ½-inch starting mixture, and add a moisture dome.
- Place the seedlings under the gro light and on the seedling heating mat and set it on 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Give regular water till the seed sprouts. It may take a few weeks, so be patient!
- Once Sprouts burstRemove moisture domes and heating mats. Continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not wet.
- When the seedlings turn a bit inch, leave an seedling per pot or seedling cell and dilute the rest.
- Transplant indoor plant Outside when they are a few inches long and the risk of frost is averted.
External sowing
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For a more practical approach, plant out asparagus seeds in the nursery beds prepared after the last spring frost.
- Plant the seeds ½-inch dark and 2 to 3 inches distance in rows about 1 foot from each other. If possible, soak asparagus seeds in water before planting to speed up germination.
- Give water repeatedly to keep the soil moist and weeding regularly to prevent weed competition. Asparagus seeds should sprout in a few weeks.
- Once the plants sprout and become a few inches long, spread a light layer of straw wet grass around the soil line to prevent weed.
Seed transplantation
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The seeds grown from outside will not need to be transplanted during the first year of their development. However, indoor plants should be transplanted out after the last frost date of spring.
- During the day, take the plants out and inside the house at night and harden the seedlings in one to two weeks. Gradually increase the time of staying out of the seedlings and the amount of exposure to the sun until the plants can face the full sun.
- In the finished nursery bed, plant asparagus plants in rows about 1 foot. Keep each plant about 1 feet from its neighbor and bury the plants to a sufficient depth to cover their roots.
- Add water well and apply a light layer of straw wet grass.
How to take care of asparagus
After growing in nursery bed by one year, asparagus crowns can be transplanted to your main garden in the initial spring. Before planting, loosen the soil and make some modifications, then plant 2 to 3 feet in 6 inches deep trenches at a distance of 2 to 3 feet throughout the year. Blow the roots of the plants with a fan, keep individual plants at a distance of 2 feet from each other, cover the roots with soil and follow these quick care tips to maintain healthy crop of asparagus. .
- Making a mound. Every few weeks, put more soil on the crowns of asparagus until the crown is covered with a small pile of clay. In winter, for insulation, apply 4 to 6 inches of straw wet grass layer on the roots.
- Giving water Provide about 1 inch of water per week to asparagus plants.
- Compost Compost asparagus in early spring once or twice a year, and after harvesting, with well -balanced fertilizer or Fertilizer,
- Weeding Asparagus is not able to compete well with weeds and the beds need regular weeding.
- Sorting Do not cut the leaves like fern from asparagus plants until they die back into the autumn. These leaves promote the growth of asparagus next year.
Asparagus harvesting
If you grow asparagus plants from seeds, you will have to wait at least three years Cut edible spearsThe asparagus season begins in the spring and lasts by the end of June, but you should harvest the spear for only two to three weeks during the first crop season. When the spears are as wide and about 6 to 8 inches long as your finger, then harvest them, and use a sharp knife to bite the spears from the soil line to limit the damage of the plant.
Frequently asked questions
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It takes three years to grow asparagus from seed to harvesting.
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Yes, you can plant the seeds of asparagus directly in the ground after the last frost of spring.
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Growing asparagus from seeds is more budget-friendly, but it takes a year longer than growing asparagus from the crown.
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No, you should not harvest asparagus first year. Premature cutting of asparagus can eliminate the energy of your plants and reduce crop yields.