Asparagus Mary Washington Crowns (Bundle of 10)

This bundle contains 10 dormant, two-year-old Mary Washington asparagus crowns. Mary Washington is a classic open-pollinated cultivar that produces green spears with tight tips and a mild flavor. Plants may include both male and female crowns.

• Botanical name: Asparagus officinalis
• Plant form: Dormant two-year-old root crowns
• Quantity: 10 crowns
• USDA zones: 3–9
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 12–18 inches
• Mature fern height: About 4–5 feet
• Harvest: Late spring after the planting has established

Planting and care

Choose a permanent bed in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Set crowns about 12–18 inches apart in a furrow with the buds facing up. Cover with 2–3 inches of soil, water well, and gradually add soil as shoots grow until the furrow is filled.

Keep the bed weed-free and evenly moist while plants establish. Do not take a full harvest from newly planted crowns. A short, light harvest can begin in the second growing season; wait until the third season for a longer harvest. Cut spears when they are about 6–8 inches tall, then allow the remaining shoots to grow into ferns so the crowns can store energy for the following year.

See our asparagus growing guide, shop all asparagus crowns, or browse perennial vegetable crowns.

Dormant crown note: A small amount of surface mold can develop during cold storage and can usually be wiped away. Do not plant crowns that are soft, mushy, or rotten; contact us promptly if your crowns arrive in that condition.