Mary Washington Asparagus Crowns – 2-Year-Old, Ready to Plant

Skip the seed-starting wait — these hardy, 2-year-old Mary Washington asparagus crowns are ready to go straight into the ground. One of the most popular asparagus varieties for home gardeners and commercial growers, Mary Washington produces an abundance of medium-to-large, purplish-tinged, tightly-budded spears. Open-pollinated, disease-resistant, and heavy-yielding.

Variety Highlights

• Open-pollinated heirloom — a tried-and-true American classic
• Somewhat rust-resistant and disease-tolerant
• Heavy yields of tender, flavorful shoots
• Grows well throughout the Midwest and beyond
• A well-tended planting lasts 15–25 years

Planting Instructions

1. Amend soil the fall before planting with 20 lbs of 10-20-10 fertilizer or mature compost per 1,000 sq ft, worked in 6 inches deep.
2. Choose a site with well-drained soil and full sun. Sandy loam is ideal.
3. In early spring (after last frost), dig trenches 5 inches deep and 6–8 inches apart.
4. Add 2 lbs of 0-20-0 superphosphate per 50-foot row; cover with 1 inch of soil.
5. Soak crowns in lukewarm water for several minutes before planting.
6. Place crowns 18 inches apart, buds pointing up; drape roots over trench sides.
7. Fill with 3 parts topsoil and 1 part compost. Do not compact.
8. Water thoroughly. Spears typically emerge within a week.
9. Do not harvest in Year 1 — allow crowns to establish fully.
10. Mulch 4–8 inches after spears emerge to suppress weeds.
11. Side-dress with mulch each fall; cut back dead fern growth in early spring.
12. Begin harvesting 7–9 inch spears by snapping at the base in Year 2–3.

Key Facts

• Crown Age: 2 years
• Yield: 8–10 lbs per 100 sq ft of bed; 24–30 lbs per 100 ft of row
• Harvest begins: 50°F soil temperature triggers spear emergence
• Lifespan: 15–25 years with proper care