‘Mary Washington’ Asparagus

bare-root plants
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Asparagus officinalis

Heirloom variety developed by JB Norton, USDA, 1919.

Large early green stalks tolerate heat well and demonstrate good resistance to rust. For those of you who know your antique asparagus, Mary was selected from Martha. Of the two, Mary is earlier, more vigorous and more uniform.

A parent to many modern varieties and planted in American gardens for more than a century. Z3/4.

(1-year bare-root crowns)
ships in spring

Related Items

Mighty Spears Asparagus Fertilizer
Asparagus Knife
Quick Details
Lifecycle
perennial
Color
green
Hardy to Zone
3
Compare
Compare with other Asparagus
Variety Product Type Lifecycle Color Hardy to Zone
‘Mary Washington’ bare-root plants perennial green 3
‘Millennium’ bare-root plants perennial green 3
‘Purple Passion’ bare-root plants perennial deep purple 4
Additional Information

Asparagus Asparagus officinalis

A spring staple for millennia, may have originated around the Mediterranean Sea, perhaps in Asia Minor. The pharaohs, Greeks and Romans were all aware of its highly nutritious qualities and delectable flavor. The earliest known American horticultural advertisement, from March 1719, is for “English Sparrow-grass Roots.” Uncut shoots become a light green feathery hedge, a beautiful backdrop to a flower garden. Honeybees love the dainty dangling flowers, which develop into bright red spherical seed pods on female plants. Occasionally non–spear-forming females will show up in a planting. Leave them be or rogue them out as you wish.

Growing Asparagus

Soil: Requires fertile soil with pH of 6.5-7.0 and high levels of phosphorus.

Sun: Full sun.

Planting: Plant 14–18" apart, 6–10" deep, in trenches 4' apart. Or dig your trenches somewhat deeper and fill the bottom with 4" of compost and rotted manure. For an extra fertilizer boost, use Fedco’s own Mighty Spears Asparagus Mix. Amend pH if indicated by your soil test.

Lay plants with crowns up and cover with 2" of soil. Plants emerge very slowly. As young shoots grow, add soil gradually, just covering the shoots, until the trench is full.

In late fall, remove dead stalks and mulch with 3" of manure.

  • Second summer: Fertilize with Mighty Spears Mix, amend to adjust pH, and add compost as needed. Control weeds but do not injure crowns—consider using Buckwheat Hulls as mulch.
  • Later years: Same routine but increase fertilizer. Be sure to leave some spears each year to grow stalks that will nourish the roots and give you more spears next year. Keep the bed weed-free and mulched heavily.

Harvest: We recommend caution in harvesting too much too soon. Before the third or fourth season, harvest only the largest shoots from vigorous plants so the young plants can establish themselves. Consider using our Asparagus Knife for maximum yield per spear.

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from April to May.