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asparagus not producing spears #862459

Asked March 25, 2024, 12:58 PM EDT

This summer will be our 4th growing season. The fronds have appeared healthy to me (pretty big and bushy) but we have not seen one good spear. I apparently have not taken a photo. I thought perhaps soil might be an issue so I sent in a sample (results attached.) It would seem to me that pH is about perfect and there should be plenty of phosphorus and potassium given the test results. With the organic matter, I would assume that nitrogen is also adequate. This bed gets several hours of direct sun from about 11:00 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Do the test results suggest that my bed needs any fertilizer at present? Any chance that my lack of spears is due to not planting deep enough? If so, how likely will transplanting be successful? Thanks!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

While your soil test results are good, asparagus are heavy feeders so need extra nutrients.  Apply fertilizer this spring with an emphasis on nitrogen.  See the second link below for detailed information on nutrients needed by asparagus. The first link explains how to grow asparagus in Minnesota.   Asparagus prefers at least six hours of sun each day,  so this may also be a factor in your lack of spears.  Too, some asparagus varieties take longer to come to maturity. than others, so you may see spears this year.



https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-asparagus
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetable-growing-guides-farmers/nutrient-management-asparagus
Diane M Replied March 28, 2024, 10:02 AM EDT

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