Mary Washington Seeds

Soak Asparagus Mary Washington seeds 48 hours before planting to speed up germination time. Start asparagus seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow outdoors in mid-spring once soil hits 65 °F. Sow 1/4–1/2 inch deep in a loose, well-draining mix. Germination happens in 10–21 days at 65–85 °F; cooler soil drags it out, warmer soil speeds it up. You can transplant seedlings once they are 10–12 weeks old and hardened off before going into the ground.

Full sun is non-negotiable - make sure your plants get six or more hours daily to keep spears strong. They prefer sandy loam with a pH of 6.5–7.0 — asparagus roots rot in waterlogged soil, so drainage is more important than fertility at the start. Work compost into your bed before planting. Water about 1 inch per week; let the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings. The plant is surprisingly drought-tolerant once roots settle in.

Transplant Asparagus Mary Washington seedlings into trenches 6–12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, spaced 12–18 inches apart in the row. In the first year do not expect harvest, as it's the time when ferns and rooting systems grows. Second year you will get two weeks of light harvest, then stop. By year three, you're cutting 7–9 inch spears for up to 8 weeks each spring. After harvest, leave the ferns standing — they're preparing the root system for next season.