JERSEY KNIGHT
Product Description:
Asparagus crowns are predominantly male, 1 year old and ship in March or April. The crowns are inspected by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and are free of Fusarium. Please order early for best availability. Available only within the contiguous US.
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Key Features:
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Key Features:
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Customer Reviews
My first batch of crowns didn't grow very well probably because I didn't water them. The few that came back year 2 are tall and slender. Next year I hope to harvest. My second batch of crowns this year are growing well as I made sure they had water. Now I have an asparagus bed!
I ordered 20 crowns. I was sent 26. I had space to plant 25. This is my first time planting asparagus and I was unsure what to expect. For weeks nothing happened and I fretted that I planted too deep, not deep enough, too wet, too dry… and then- one day- I saw a green stalk emerge out of the soil! Over a full 2 weeks- it took a bit- all 25 crowns sprouted! I’m most delighted. Stay tuned till next year when I’ll be able to report on how they taste.
I planted my crowns around spring break, and the Pacific Northwest, mid April. It ended up taking an extra week than I thought for spares to emerge, but every crown has sent up spears in both beds - one with loose loam, and the other one that is slightly more compact. A critter snapped off a spear a few weeks ago but the roots were healthy enough they sent up more spears.
I bought a set of jersey knight crowns. They were good sized, healthy, plump roots with only a few smaller ones, but there were a few small ones over the count I ordered to account for that. I planted them and had 8 left, which I gave to my brother on the other side of the state with very different growing conditions. They all sprouted, including the smaller ones and extras I gave to my brother, and are now starting to really take off. So far, I have only seen one seed pod on the fronds. They are majority male, as advertised. Can't wait to harvest in a year or two! Would recommend.
| Soil Temp for Germ | 65–80°F |
| Seed Depth | ¼" |
| Days to Emergence | 10–25 |
| Soil Temp for Transp | 40–45°F |
| Plant Spacing | 10–15" |
| Row Spacing | 3–6' |
| Fertilizer Needs | High |
| Minimum Germination | 75% |
| Seeds per Gram | N/A |
| Seed Life | 3 years |
Culture
• Asparagus plants are dioecious, meaning there are both male & female plants
• Male plants produce thicker larger spears
• Female plants produce small berries
• Asparagus is a hardy perennial
• The key to good production is well-prepared, deeply dug beds with lots of organic matter
• Fertilize beds early in the spring and after harvest with 1–2 cups of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet
• Keep beds moist
Direct Sowing
• Not recommended
Transplanting
• Start transplants 60–90 days before your last frost
• Transplant seedlings after the danger of frost
Asparagus Root Crowns
• Plant your 1 year old crowns shortly after you receive them
• Crowns can be transplanted 4–6 weeks before last frost
• Dig a 4–6 inch trench; create a hill in the center
• Drape roots over the hill; cover roots with soil
• Fill in trench as asparagus grows
• Complete instructions are included
Insects & Diseases
• Common pests: Asparagus beetles and slugs
• Pest control: Pyrethrin, slug traps or bait
• Common diseases: Rust, Fusarium wilt, Fusarium stem and crown rot
• Disease prevention: Maintaining good plant vigor
Harvest & Storage
• A moderate 2–3 week harvest can be expected from crowns in 2–3 years
• Harvest spears when they're 6–10 inches tall, cutting them off about 1 inch below soil surface
• Store at 36°F and 100% relative humidity
• To maintain perennial bed, leave smaller spears to mature into ferns, which will regenerate the plant
• With each successive year, your plant productivity and harvest window will increase
