Click photo to enlarge in new window
Varieties
Apollo, Atlas, Jersey Gem, Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight, Martha Washington, Purple Passion, UC 72, UC 157Soil Preferences
Deep sandy loam or clay loam with good drainage; pH 6.0-7.5; will tolerate saline conditions better than most other vegetables.Optimum Growing Conditions
Cool season crop, does best at temperatures of 60-75°F; most varieties require a dormant period.Establishment Methods
| Planting Method | From seed, transplants or 1-yr-old crowns (preferred) |
|---|---|
| Optimum Time | Soil seed zone temperature above 70°F |
| Seeding rate | 2-3 lbs/acre; depth 1-1.5" |
| Approx seed/oz | 1,200 |
| Seedling spacing | 1-2" in-row with 2 rows 1.5-2' apart/80"bed. |
| Transplant (crowns) | After danger of frost has passed, in furrows 8-10" deep and 4-5' apart, with crowns spaced 14-18" in-row. |
Fertility/Fertilization
Rates presented as actual lbs/acre N2, P2o5, and K2o (base actual rates applied on soil test results).| Crop establishment | 200-150-100 (followed by 100 lbs/acre N for the first three years)*; phosphorus placed at bottom of furrow 0.5 - 1" beneath crowns |
|---|---|
| Established crop | N - 50 P - 100 K - 100 Plus 80 lbs 2 weeks prior to end of harvest. Broadcast in early spring (prior to growth initiation) and disk lightly. |
Water/Irrigation
10-18"; critical time is during planting establishment and during fern development.Pest Management
Asparagus Diseases and Common Name of Fungicidal Controls
| DISEASE | FUNGICIDE* | OMRI LISTED FUNGICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Cercospora blight and leaf spot | Chlorothalonil, Mancozeb, Potassium phosphite | Trilogy |
| Crown rot | Chlorothalonil, Hydrogen dioxide, Mefenoxam, Metalaxyl, Phostrol (phosphorous acid, mono and dibasic sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts), Potassium phosphite | Streptomyces lydicus, |
| Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) | Fenhexamid | Azadirachtin, Bacillus subtilis |
| Rust | Chlorothalonil, Mancozeb, Myclobutanil, Sulfur, Tebuconazole | Bacillus pumilus, Streptomyces lydicus |
| Stemphyllium Purple Spot | Azoxystrobin, Chlorothalonil, Trifloxystrobin | |
| Sclerotina | Coniothyrium minitans | |
| Nematode | Telone, Azadirachtin, Chloropicrin, Metam-potassium, Metam-sodium, Sesame oil |
Asparagus Insect Pests and Common Name of Insecticidal Controls
| INSECT | INSECTICIDE* | OMRI LISTED INSECTICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Malathion, Permethrin | Azadirachtin |
| Armyworms | Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki, Checkmate (pheromone) | |
| Asparagus beetles | Carbaryl, Malathion, Permethrin, Petroleum oil, Rotenone | Kaolin, Pyrethrins,Spinosad |
| Cutworm | Azadirachtin, Carbaryl, Methomyl, Permethrin | Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki |
| Grasshopper | Carbaryl, Piperonyl butoxide, | Azadirachtin, Kaolin |
| Thrips | Carbaryl, Permethrin |
Weeds and Common Name of Herbicidal Controls
| WEED | HERBICIDE* | OMRI LISTED HERBICIDE** |
|---|---|---|
| Preplant incorporated | Metam-potassium, Metam-sodium, Napropamide, Trifluralin, | |
| Preemergence (prior to spear emergence) | Diuron, Flumioxazin, Linuron, Mesotrione, Metribuzin, Napropamide, Norflurazon, Bayonet, Devrinol, Karmex, Lorox, Sencor, Sinbar, Solicam, Terbacil, Treflan | |
| Postemergence | 2,4-D, Clethodim, Dicamba, Diquat, Diuron, Fluazifop-P-butyl, Flumioxazin, Glyphosate, Halosulfuron, Linuron, Mesotrione, Metribuzin, Paraquat, Pelargonic acid, Sethoxydim, Terbacil Arrow, Banvel, Buccaneer, Callisto, Lorox, Fusilade, Poast, Stinger, 2-4 D | Cinnamon oil, Citric acid, Clove oil, Lemon grass oil |
* The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Ensure that products with one of the listed active ingredients is registered for the crop it is to be used on. Failure to do the above may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
** As stated in §205.206 of the National Organic Standards, pest management decisions should follow a hierarchical approach, which should be defined in a farm's organic systems plan. Please ensure that you have followed the appropriate steps and any product to be used in certified organic production systems has been approved by your certifying agent.
Harvest
| Days after planting | 1 year |
|---|---|
| Normal method | Hand harvested when spears are 9-10" in length with a little white butt (at least half °F the length should be from above ground area). Cool immediately. Place butts in cold water or in contact with other moisture holding material to prevent moisture loss (maintenance of quality). |
| Grades | Based on trimmed spear diameter: Very Small - <5/16" Small - 5/16-1/2" Medium - 1/2-11/16" Large - 1/16-14/16" Very large - >14/16" |
| Packaging |
|
| Anticipated yield/acre | 2,500 lbs |
Transit Conditions
32-36°F (deteriorates rapidly at 40°F) at 95-100% RH. 3 week shelf-life.Comments/Production Keys
- Plant crowns with buds up into moist soil.
- Spears easily damaged by sand blasting; wheat or oat windbreaks are suggested between rows.
- Properly managed crop can be productive for 10 to 15 years.
- Do not plant in field where perennial weeds such as johnsongrass, bermuda grass or nutsedge are known to be a problem.
- Lime to a pH 6.5 or above (East Texas).
- Asparagus is very deep rooted (10-12'), can withstand doughty conditions; avoiding drought stress during first two years is critical to establishment; supplemental irrigation may be needed to maintain good fern growth.
- Do not cultivate established planting; control weeds with herbicides.
- Shred yellowing or frozen fern growth in mid-winter or early spring depending upon location.
- Normal harvest period is 3 to 5 weeks.