Asparagus Mary Washington

A classic for good reason. Mary Washington has been around for generations and is still going strong thanks to its excellent flavour, heavy crops, and solid disease resistance. It’s often rated as one of the best-tasting varieties out there—rich, savoury, and just the right amount of tenderness.

SOW: late winter to early spring in modules with warmth (13-16ºC) or in mid to late spring in a nursery bed (2.5cm deep).

GROW: Make sure your new permanent asparagus bed is weed free and dig in well-rotted organic matter before planting up. If your soil has poor drainage then consider using a raised bed. Harden off your seedlings and plant in their permanent position in early summer – plant on the flat. You may get a light cut in the third year if growth is vigorous; look forward to steady cropping from the year after that – stop harvesting in mid-summer to allow plants to recover.

LONG TERM CARE: Asparagus can be productive for 20 years. At the end of the season cut back stems to 10cm above the ground. Mulch with well-rotted manure or compost in the autumn to help suppress weeds. Apply a general fertiliser early in spring. In an exposed garden cover the bed with ferns or straw over the winter. To make good use of the space try growing annual crops such as baby leaves