Asparagus: for how many years does it produce edible spears?

Asparagus is a perennial crop that will keep going for over 20 years. Plants are either male or female and some varieties you buy are all male as you get more spears because the plant doesn't put it's energy into seed production.

It used to be said not to harvest the spears in the first two years whilst the plants got their roots established. With new hybrid plants however, you can harvest for two weeks during the first season, a year after planting. Light harvesting encourages more spears to grow. Then in year 2 you can harvest the spears for a full 6 week period provided the spears are thicker than a pencil. Following years you can pick for up to 8 weeks. It is important to then stop harvesting and leave the spears to grow and open up into feathery ferns. Don't remove these until after the first frosts when they will die back. Whilst green they put strength back into the plant for the next year. Keep the beds weed free and enjoy your asparagus for the next 20 years.

Hi Nomad,

Can't believe you can't find that information. It is a perennial. But, no, once the spear is cut, it's done for the season. Don't harvest spears that are less than about the size of your little finger (allow these to develop the ferny top that will feed the spear to make it larger for next year). Asparagus is not usually harvested until the second year, and then only those spears that are large enough. Here's a really good article on just about everything about asparagus. Hope this answers your questions.

Asparagus is perennial.

I'm not certain that a second year plant will be mature enough to produce usable spears.

When the plant is producing... it will be necessary to stop harvesting after a period of time... as those spears are required to feed the roots... keep cutting everything... kill the plant.

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/asp...

"Harvesting

Don’t harvest any spears during the first 2 years that plants are in the permanent bed. They need to put all their energy into establishing deep roots. During the third season, pick the spears over a 4-week period, and by the fourth year, extend your harvest to 8 weeks."

Ignore conventional wisdom and take practical advice from a successful asparagus addict.

Year one.

Soak seeds 12 hours in warm water. Prepare seed bed as temporary home for plants. IMPORTANT! Plant seeds singly 3 inches apart, 3/4 inch deep and mash soil flat with foot when done. Water often until plants emerge. Fertilize often with double strength with water soluble flower and plant food. Once new spears have fully leafed out... CUT THEM. keep fertilizing often.

Year Two.

Before Spring dig up plants, Space plants out 10 inches apart. As soon as you see spring growth begin fertilizing with double strength fertilizer and continue to do so. Let spears leaf out and CUT THEM DOWN TO THE GROUND. Repeat. Fertilize, cut and fertilize and cut and fertilize and cut.

(this is counter-intuitive and in direct contradiction to fluffy-duffy gardening advice columns. However it is a natural part of the life of asparagus that fluffy-duffy gardening advice columnists have chosen not to consider. The growth habits of asparagus developed in response to its ‘predators’ i.e. Deer and Rabbits. The more it is cut plus the more it is fertilized the more pissed off it gets… It will begin growing and producing more and more spears and develop large root crowns in its 2nd year that would take up to 6 years to achieve using the fluffy-duffy gardening philosophy.)

Count back from the expected date of the first frost of fall to give the asparagus plants ten weeks to grow to full height and flower. Female plants will set berries; male plants won’t. Dig up male plants and discard them unless you want lots of spears no thicker than pencils. (you can transplant them to a flower bed where they’ll make an interesting addition)

Year Three.

Invest in a small bag of super phosphate and apply to each plant, 1 tsp 3 times a summer. Continue regularly with water soluble fertilizer. Harvest often until the 10 week date before frost. If you have sufficient plants (30 or more) you can force them during winter by covering them with plastic milk jugs with bottoms cut out. 5 wks usually is enough for 6” spears. Do not force any plant more than once during a winter.

Deer and rabbits will pass up other foods to get to asparagus in the spring. I hope you have a dog. If not, consider getting one. Sprays to repel rabbit and deer will definitely effect the taste of asparagus. As for the 20 yr life expectancy of asparagus plants... pure myth. I have my original plants from 35 yrs ago... plus another 7o or so.

Asparagus can be pickled from raw, washed spears for enjoyment and boasting. It retains its crunch and will stun any salad eater.

They have to grow for three years then you can eat them. If you cut the second year they will still grow, as they grow mainly form a root clump, just like grass does. You should wait though so they can spread and grow longer runners from their root system.

I believe forever is it keeps on growing.