asparagus seed planting Mary Washington AsparagusDescription Mary Washington Asparagus Seeds (Asparagus officinalis) 125+ Non GMO Heirloom Seeds for Planting, Classic Tender Spears & Long Lived Perennial Beds, by Islas Garden Seeds, Gift Idea for Gardeners Mary Washington Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is the time honored standard for reliable, tender green spears with excellent flavor. This cherished heirloom establishes long lived perennial beds that return each spring with increasingly

Description

Mary Washington Asparagus Seeds (Asparagus officinalis) – 125+ Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds for Planting, Classic Tender Spears & Long-Lived Perennial Beds, by Isla’s Garden Seeds, Gift Idea for Gardeners

Mary Washington Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is the time-honored standard for reliable, tender green spears with excellent flavor. This cherished heirloom establishes long-lived perennial beds that return each spring with increasingly abundant harvests.

Vigorous plants produce sturdy, uniform spears followed by graceful, ferny foliage that feeds the crowns for next year’s growth. Once established, a well-cared-for asparagus patch can produce for 10–15 years, rewarding patient gardeners with plentiful spring harvests.

Spears are delicious roasted, grilled, steamed, or sautéed—sweet and crisp when snapped fresh from the garden. Allow plants to fully leaf out after harvest to strengthen roots and ensure strong crops in future seasons.

A dependable classic for home gardens, Mary Washington combines excellent flavor, durability, and long-term productivity—an investment that pays off year after year.

Type: Perennial
Sun: Full
Planting Depth: 1/2” (seeds)
Spacing: 12–18” in rows 3–4’ apart
Water: Consistent, moderate
Days to Maturity/Bloom: Harvest lightly in year 2; full harvest from year 3
Height: 3–5’ (ferns)
Zones: 3–10

🌱Planting Instructions

Approx seeds per order 125

For best results from seed, start indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost. Soak seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours, then sow 1/2 inch deep in trays. Transplant sturdy seedlings outdoors after frost into deeply loosened, well-draining soil enriched with compost.

Plant in rows 3–4 feet apart, spacing plants 12–18 inches. Set seedlings in shallow trenches 4–6 inches deep; gradually backfill as plants grow. Keep beds weed-free and evenly moist the first two seasons to build strong crowns.

Do not harvest the first year. In the second year, harvest lightly for 2–3 weeks once spears reach 6–8 inches, then allow ferns to grow. From the third year onward, enjoy a full 6–8 week harvest. Mulch yearly and allow fern growth after harvest to replenish energy.

Type: Perennial
Sun: Full
Planting Depth: 1/2” (seeds)
Spacing: 12–18” in rows 3–4’ apart
Water: Consistent, moderate
Days to Maturity/Bloom: Harvest lightly in year 2; full harvest from year 3
Height: 3–5’ (ferns)
Zones: 3–10

USDA Zone Map

Mary Washington Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) grows best in USDA Zones 3–10, thriving in sunny sites with deep, fertile, well-draining soil.

Type: Perennial
Sun: Full
Planting Depth: 1/2” (seeds)
Spacing: 12–18” in rows 3–4’ apart
Water: Consistent, moderate
Days to Maturity/Bloom: Harvest lightly in year 2; full harvest from year 3
Height: 3–5’ (ferns)
Zones: 3–10