Asparagus “Precoce d’Argenteuil” 18 crowns

Description

CANADIAN ORDERS ONLY.

18  organically grown 1 year old crowns. Hardiness Zones: 4-9. We grew this from seed so its never seen “conventional” growing conditions (read: biocides or chemical fertilizers) and given several doses of mycorrhizae inoculant. We grow these in tall tree pots so the fine root hairs will remain intact when they are decanted vs in ground digging.

This French heirloom never disappoints with its large, 2 cm thick spears. Prolific and produces spears earlier in spring than most varieties. Ultimate variety for white asparagus. Excellent flavour.  Long lived; a well prepared well cared for asparagus bed can produce lovely spears for more than 10 years, so plan accordingly when planning as moving established asparagus roots is a major pain.

Here is some information to get you started.  You will receive a paper copy of these instructions in your order. https://twiningvinegarden.com/asparagus-growing/

Getting the bed ready via; cultivate soil so it is weed free. Sift (if your soil is like ours…pick out  the rocks) and amend so it is well draining via adding sand if it is too heavy.  AND the site should be well draining.  If you make a trench and rain does not drain freely, you might have to consider another site.

Dig a trench 18cm wide and 20-25cm  deep. Mix in rock phosphate and green sand (Gaia Green 4-4-4 is good too) to improve plant production and vigor. Crowns should be spaced 30cm apart, and settled in the soil so that the tops of the crowns are 15-20 cm below the top of the trench. Spread the crowns out on the bottom of the trench and cover with 6cm of amended soil or well aged compost.  As the plants develop, fill in the trench gradually with soil but never cover the emerging tips (green part as they gotta know to keep going up. Trench planting is best as those who grow them for a living know that deep planted asparagus crowns are more productive.

Do not add compost or fertilizer until plants are growing and continue to fertilize during the time the trench is being filled.  Again use greensand, rock phosphate and if you wish a dilute solution of soluble kelp powder.

Keep weed free via mulch.

Do not harvest until the 3rd year so the crowns are super robust to provide spears without compromising plant health.  This means the ferns must remain intact all season long and only be cut down to ground level in the early spring before new spears start to emerge (April?).