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Mary Washington Asparagus is a popular, perennial variety known for its high yield of delicious, tender spears with a rich, dark green color and purple tips. It's a classic, reliable choice for home gardeners, producing flavorful asparagus for years to come.
Key Features:
Perennial: Once planted, it will produce for many years, potentially 20 or more.
High Yield: Produces a good quantity of spears each season.
Flavor: Known for its sweet and succulent taste, making it excellent for both raw and cooked preparations.
Color: Dark green spears with purple tips.
Growing: Prefers loose, deep, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and full sun to partial shade.
Planting and Care:
Planting: Can be started from seeds or crowns (2-year-old plants).
Sowing: Soak seeds for a couple of hours before sowing. Sow seeds 1cm deep in individual cells of a seed tray and transplant after roots emerge from the base of the cell.
Soil: Prefers a slightly acidic soil pH (around 7.0), according to Seeds and Plants South Africa.
Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial afternoon shade.
Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first year, but avoid overwatering as asparagus does not tolerate waterlogged soil.
Mulching: Applying a layer of mulch in mid-summer helps control weeds and retain moisture.
Fertilizing: Regular applications of compost or well-rotted manure will provide essential nutrients.
Pest Control: Can be susceptible to pests like asparagus beetles and cutworms. Hand-picking or using appropriate pesticides can help control them.
