PLANTING: An Asparagus planting is a long-term addition to the garden, so choose
the site carefully. In a well-prepared site, an Asparagus bed will thrive for 10-15 years,
spreading slowly in size each year. Choose a sunny, well-drained area separate from
annual vegetable or flower beds, and away from foot traffic. Handfork or rototill the soil
deeply (to at least 12"). Remove large stones, roots, and twigs, and break up soil clods.
Next, thoroughly incorporate into the soil: Peat Moss or Compost, Cow Manure, Perlite
or Sand *if the soil is heavy), Agricultural Limestone, and 5-10-5 Fertilizer. Plant
Asparagus crowns in rows 18-30" apart. Cover crowns with 2-3" of soil, and mulch
lightly with Salt Hay or Buckwheat Hulls.