[Arid_gardener] asparagus planting

[GartenArzt]

Grow in full sun.  It stops producing spears and starts to produce ferns in
 March and April.  The following, taken fron old a_g archives at
 http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/old_archives/arid_gardener/2001-November/007057.html may be helpful.Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ http://home.att.net/~millero/VSG/desert_gardening.htm" In the low desert, you can plant asparagus crowns from now [this was wrtten in November] until mid February.  But it may be best to wait until after January 1 because there won't be much growth until the soil warms. Mail order purchases are usually 1-year-old crowns.  Most suppliers refuse to ship until after some  hypothetical "frost free date for your area" not realizing (or caring) that we often need to push the envelope a little because of our very short spring and very hot summer weather.  Another problem with mail order is potential freezing in transit if the crowns are moist and fleshy.Male plants produce the thick spears.  With Mary Washington, the traditional variety, the male:female ratio is about 50:50.  With the newer, all-male "Jersey" hybrids 
 (Jersey Knight, Jersey Giant, Jersey King), all of the plants produce thick spears and the yield theoretically should be doublefor the same space and the same number of plants.Spears should not be harvested until the second year.  Spears will emerge in late February and the harvest season is relatively short, probably because of the short spring season and also because of the short dormant period.In late fall when the ferns of unharvested plants die back, the stalks should be cut off and the entire asparagus row (or bed) should be covered with a breathable, organic mulch.Although asparagus plants are perennial, in my experience the useful life is only a few years before the yield starts to decline, unlike temperateclimates where useful life may be 10-25 years or more."You can also purchase and grow plants from seed but it will take a year longer for the first harvest----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle B" <mmb at storyteller.net> Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 11:37 AM>
 I wish to prepare a bed for planting asparagus. I need to know the cultural>requirements of asparagus, such as sun -vs- shade, etc. Is there a>publication or web site I can be referred to, or someone who would like to>share growing tips? I really appreciate it!