Mary Washington Asparagus

Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated
Packet size: 20 seeds

Asparagus officinalis. Mary Washington Asparagus is a classic heirloom asparagus variety known for producing flavorful green spears on hardy, long-lived perennial plants. Once established, an asparagus bed can provide fresh spring harvests for many years, making it an excellent addition to a permanent home vegetable garden.

Mary Washington produces tender green spears that are delicious steamed, roasted, grilled, sautéed, or used fresh in a variety of dishes. The plants develop into tall, fern-like growth after the harvest season, helping store energy in the crowns for future crops.

🌱 Growing Information

How to Grow Mary Washington Asparagus from Seed

Planting Depth: ½ inch
Seed Spacing: 12–18 inches
Row Spacing: 36–48 inches
Germination Time: 14–21 days
First Harvest: Approximately 2–3 years from seed
Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Planting Tips:
Start Mary Washington Asparagus seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, or direct sow outdoors after the soil can be worked. Soaking the seeds in water before planting may help encourage germination.

Plant seeds approximately ½ inch deep in fertile, well-drained soil. Choose the planting location carefully because asparagus is a perennial crop that can remain productive in the same garden bed for many years.

Keep young plants consistently watered and control weeds while the asparagus becomes established. Allow the fern-like foliage to grow during the season so the plants can build strong root systems and crowns.

Avoid heavy harvesting from young plants. Asparagus grown from seed generally requires approximately 2–3 years to become established enough for regular harvesting. Once mature, harvest tender spears in spring while they are young and before the tips begin to open.

🌱 Long-Lived Perennial Vegetable: Mary Washington Asparagus requires patience during establishment, but mature plants can provide fresh asparagus spears each spring for many years.