Asparagus, ‘Mary Washington’

Asparagus ‘Mary Washington’ is one of the most popular varieties grown by home gardeners. It is disease resistant and heavy yielding with tender, flavorful shoots. This open-pollinated variety produces medium to large purple-tinged, tightly-budded shoots.
‘Mary Washington’ grows well throughout the Midwest and is rust-resistant. A well-tended planting yields 8 to 10 pounds or more per 100 square feet of bed or 24 to 30 pounds per 100 feet of row.

  • Excellent for home gardeners
  • Non-GMO
  • Very productive
  • Delicious added to salad, pizza, or toss them on the grill!

Plant Details +

Botanical Asparagus officinalis
Height 6-18"
Spacing 18"
Hardiness Zones 2-9
Exposure Full sun
Harvest Spring

Planting/Care Instructions +

Planting Instructions: Plant in early spring in a sunny location of sandy loam with good drainage. 1. Dig a trench 6" deep 2. Place the roots in the trench, spreading the roots so they remain flat. 3. Cover with 3" of dirt and once growth begins, fill in the additional 3" of soil. Do not harvest the first year and harvesting may continue until June 1 the second year. Every season, when cuttings are over, apply a fertilizer to supply nitrogen for good regrowth of the plants. Approximately 10 lbs. per 100 foot of row for fertilizer similar to 10-10-10 (500 lbs. per acre) is sufficient. WATER PLANTS WELL AFTER PLANTING. After harvest, asparagus must be completely dormant before mowing. Mow late winter or early spring.

Pests or Diseases: Asparagus beetles are commonly found in home plantings. If numerous, they may be controlled by a suggested insecticide or by handpicking. Asparagus rust can be a problem in the Midwest. Moisture left on the plant for 10 hours can help to spread the disease.