FULL SUN Native to most of Europe, North Africa and many parts of Asia, Asparagus has been cultivated for thousands of years. The Romans, especially, prized the vegetable. It was brought to America with the earliest colonists where it escaped from gardens and proliferated in the wild across the continent. Jersey Giant was developed as a disease resistant-extremely cold hardy variety in 1985. Spears are ½ in. in diameter, very tender and full of flavor. To make an asparagus bed, dig trenches 15-18 inches deep and 18 inches wide, allowing 4 feet between trenches. Line the bottom of the trench with approximately 6 inches of soil and compost or aged manure. Space asparagus crowns 18 inches apart. Cover with 3-4 in. of soil. As the shoots emerge continue to cover them until the trench is completely filled and level with the soil surface. Keep the bed weeded and well watered and allow the plants to grow into ferns the first year. In the fall, cover the bed with dried cow manure and cut off the ferny growth. In the second year, harvest only a few shoots, no more than three, and in the fall dress the bed as before. During the third year, regular harvesting can begin. Type Spacing Planting Depth Days to Germination Maturity Perennial 18 in. 215-18 in. 21 365
