Available for preorder and arriving April.

Easy to grow, disease resistant and delicious, This variety has been gold standard since the 19th century. This is a fast growing plant that requires less water than the average asparagus making it a good choice for Calgary gardens. Asparagus should be cut very sparingly the first year. Harvesting should only run for 6 weeks per year. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable which makes it a great choice for your garden as it will keep coming back year after year providing you with delicious, home grown asparagus .

Mary Washington Asparagus (Crowns)

A timeless perennial harvest — planted once, enjoyed for decades.

Mary Washington is a classic heirloom asparagus variety prized for its reliable yields, rich flavour, and cold hardiness. It produces tender green spears with tight tips in early spring, year after year, once established.

This variety is well-suited to northern climates and is known for its resilience and adaptability. With proper care, an asparagus bed can remain productive for 15–20 years or more.

Harvest begins: Year 2–3
Height (fern stage): 4–5 feet
Harvest season: Spring
Best for: Perennial vegetable beds, long-term food gardens

A patient gardener’s reward — dependable, abundant, and deeply satisfying.

How to Grow Mary Washington Asparagus

Plant once. Harvest for decades.

🌱 When to Plant

Plant crowns in early spring as soon as soil can be worked.
In Alberta, this is typically late April to early May.

🌿 Site Selection

• Full sun (minimum 6–8 hours daily)
• Well-draining soil
• Permanent location — asparagus does not like being disturbed

Choose a spot where plants can remain undisturbed for many years.

🌱 Planting

1. Dig a trench 8–12 inches deep and 12 inches wide.

2. Create a small mound of soil in the bottom of the trench.

3. Spread roots of the crown over the mound like a spider.

4. Cover with 2–3 inches of soil initially.

As shoots grow, gradually fill in the trench over several weeks until level with the surrounding soil.

• Space crowns 12–18 inches apart
• Rows 3–4 feet apart

💧 Watering

• Keep evenly moist during establishment
• Once established, moderately drought tolerant

🌿 First-Year Care

Do not harvest in the first year. Allow all spears to grow into tall, fern-like foliage. This feeds the roots for future harvests.

🧺 Harvesting

• Light harvest in year 2
• Full harvest beginning year 3
• Harvest spears when 6–8 inches tall
• Stop harvesting once spears become thin (usually 4–6 weeks into season)

After harvest, allow remaining spears to grow into ferns.

🍂 Fall Care

• Leave fern foliage until it yellows naturally
• Cut back to ground level after frost
• Mulch lightly for winter protection

Why Grow Mary Washington?

• Cold hardy heirloom variety
• Long-lived perennial crop
• Excellent flavour
• Reliable spring harvest

It’s one of the most rewarding edible perennials — a quiet, faithful return of green each spring.