Asparagus Mary Washington
$4.49
Asparagus Officinalis
- Seed Count 10
- Outstanding Flavour
- Perennial
In stock
Description
Asparagus Mary Washington is a high-yielding variety that produces tender long green asparagus spears with a purple-tinged head. It is one of the most popular of all heirloom asparagus varieties and is an excellent choice for the garden.
With outstanding flavour, this is a great table favourite with delicious uniform spears that are tender, thick, heavy and straight and are of a rich dark green colour with a purple tinge.
It is fast growing, extremely hardy and the feathery green foliage remains attractive long after harvest. It has both male and female plants for pollination and is quite resistant to rust, making it an ideal variety for a more organic type of gardening.
Asparagus Mary Washington is easy to grow with a little patience and will keep producing for years to come when cared for. It prefers a sandy soil and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Each year it will die back and become dormant in the winter but reappear in the spring
To allow plants time to create a good strong root system, plants must be in at least 18 months before the first very light harvest- only pick a few of the very fattest spears, leaving the rest to grow on.
| Method: Raise Seedlings | Soil Temp: 16°C - 30°C |
| Cool Mountain: May - Jul | Position: Full sun |
| Arid: Jan - Jul | Row Spacing: 40 cm |
| Temperate: Aug - Nov | Planting Depth: 10 mm |
| Sub Tropical: Aug - Nov | Harvest: 760 Days |
| Tropical: May - Jul | Plant Height: 150 cm |
Site Selection & Soil Preparation
Sunlight:
- Full sun (4–6 hours daily).
Soil:
- Well=drained, deep, sandy loam
- Soil pH 6.5–7.0.
Preparation:
- Remove weeds and rocks.
- Amend with 10 cm of compost/aged manure.
- Till soil to 30 cm inches depth for root penetration.
- Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Timing:
- Start 12–14 weeks before last frost.
Seed Prep:
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours to boost germination.
Planting:
- Sow 1cm deep in seed trays with potting mix.
- Space seeds 10 cm apart.
Germination temp:
- 16–30°C; takes 2–8 weeks.
Care:
- Keep soil moist.
- Provide bright light (grow lights if needed).
Transplanting Seedlings
Hardening Off:
- Acclimate seedlings outdoors over 7–10 days.
Spacing:
- Rows: 1 m apart.
- Plants: 40 cm apart.
Ongoing Care
Watering:
- 5 cm weekly; avoid waterlogging.
Mulching:
- Apply 10 cm of straw/compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilising:
- Year 1: Balanced fertilizer at transplanting.
- Annually: Top dress with compost in spring and autumn.
Weeding:
- Hand weed carefully to avoid root disturbance.
Pest & Disease Management
Common Pests:
- Asparagus Beetles. Handpick or use neem oil.
- Caterpillars. Collar seedlings with cardboard.
Diseases:
- Rust. Ensure airflow and remove infected foliage.
- Prevention. Rotate crops every 10+ years; avoid overhead watering.
Harvesting
Timing:
- Year 1–2: No harvest; let plants establish.
- Year 3: Harvest spears for 6–8 weeks in spring.
Method:
- Cut 20 cm spears at soil level with a knife.
Post Harvest:
- Allow ferns to grow; they replenish roots for next year.
Companion Planting Guide
Good Companions:
- Basil & Parsley: Attract beneficial insects; deter pests.
- Tomatoes: Repel asparagus beetles (1m apart to avoid competition).
- Marigolds & Nasturtiums: Deter nematodes and beetles.
- Spinach/Lettuce: Shallow roots; utilise space without competition.
Avoid Planting With:
- Alliums (Onions/Garlic): Compete for nutrients.
- Potatoes: Risk of shared pests (e.g., asparagus beetle).
Benefits:
- Tall asparagus ferns provide light shade for cool season crops.
- Flowering companions boost biodiversity and pest control.
Troubleshooting
- Yellowing Ferns: Overwatering or nutrient deficiency.
- Thin Spears: Overharvesting or young plants; reduce harvest time.
- Poor Yield: Test soil pH; ensure adequate sun and nutrients.
2 reviews for Asparagus Mary Washington
| 5 star | 50% | |
| 4 star | 0% | |
| 3 star | 50% | |
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Order Times
Seed orders are normally dispatched within three business days. You will receive an email when seeds are mailed out.
Packaging
No plastics are used in our seed envelopes or postage materials. Everything is compostable and fully bio degradable.
Postage Days
Seeds are mailed out Monday to Friday at 1pm. Except for the Friday of long weekends.
Postage Times
WA 2-3 Days: SA,NT 3-5 Days: NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC: 5-7 Days
Carrier
We use Australia Post Letter Postage for the majority of orders
It’s hard to rate when haven’t planted the seeds yet..