A well taken care of asparagus bed will provide delicious spears for 15 to 25 years and sometimes even more.

Plant one-year old plants, known as crowns, in early spring. Plant in well-drained soil in full sunlight.

Soil should have a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Add two to three pounds of a 10-20-10 fertilizer. For established asparagus beds add fertilizer before growth begins in the spring and again in the fall after harvest.

Make furrows about four inches wide and six to twelve inches deep. Place the crowns about twelve to fourteen inches apart in the furrows and cover about two to three inches deep. Add soil over the growing crowns throughout the first year until the row is level with the surrounding land by the end of summer.

Water deeply with one to two inches of water weekly. Let the top one inch of soil dry before watering again.

If frost threatens cover the growing plants with blankets or other coverings to prevent freezing.

Asparagus spears should not be harvested until the third season. When harvesting, cut the spears one to two inches below soil level when the spears are six to eight inches long.

After the last harvest cut back top growth, apply fertilizer and hoe lightly to remove any weeds. Cover with about three inches of mulch, water, and allow the plants to grow during the rest of the year.

After the first freeze cut the plants off at ground level, add fertilizer, and mulch for the winter.