5 Millennium Asparagus Crowns – 2 Year Bare Root Plants – Garden Asparagus

Overview

Experience the joy of fresh, homegrown asparagus with our premium Millennium asparagus crowns. Each order includes 5 robust, 2-year-old bare root asparagus plants, ready to be established in your garden. The ‘Millennium’ variety has gained significant popularity over the last 25 years due to its exceptional hardiness, high yields, and superior quality asparagus spears. Developed by Prof. David Wolyn at the University of Guelph, Canada, these crowns are a proven choice for both amateur and experienced gardeners looking to grow their own delicious garden asparagus. Known for their ability to thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, including heavier soils, Millennium asparagus crowns produce tender and flavorful spears year after year, making them a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.

These asparagus roots are shipped as bare root crowns, meaning they arrive without soil, ensuring easy handling and planting. They are an excellent choice for those interested in growing asparagus that is productive and low-maintenance once established. The ‘Millennium’ variety is not just limited to specific regions; its adaptability makes it suitable for many climates across the United States. Investing in these high-quality crowns means you’re setting up a perennial crop that will provide fresh asparagus for many seasons to come.

Key Benefits

The ‘Millennium’ variety offers numerous advantages for the home gardener, ensuring a rewarding and delicious harvest:

• High Yields: Renowned for consistently producing an abundance of thick, tender, and flavorful asparagus spears, providing a generous harvest each spring. These asparagus plants are celebrated for their productivity.
• Exceptional Flavor: The spears boast a crisp, crunchy texture and a subacid taste, making them perfect for various culinary applications, from steaming to roasting.
• Disease Resistance: The ‘Millennium’ variety exhibits good resistance to common asparagus diseases, contributing to healthier plants and more reliable yields.
• Adaptable to Various Soils: These asparagus roots can successfully grow in a wide range of soil types, including heavier soils, offering flexibility for different garden conditions.
• Cold Hardiness: Extremely cold hardy, making it suitable for a broad range of USDA zones (3-8), ensuring successful growth in many climates. This hardiness makes growing asparagus a viable option for many gardeners.
• Long-Term Production: Once established, these perennial Millennium asparagus crowns will produce delicious spears for 15-20 years or more, offering a lasting return on your gardening efforts.
• Easy to Grow: While requiring initial care, once established, these plants are relatively low-maintenance, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners keen on garden asparagus.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care for your Millennium asparagus crowns is crucial for a bountiful harvest. Upon arrival, plant your bare root asparagus plants as soon as possible. Choose a site with full sun, receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Asparagus thrives in well-drained soil with an average moistness and a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5. Amend heavy soils with organic matter to improve drainage and fertility before planting. Dig a trench about 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Create a mound of soil in the bottom of the trench, place the crown on top of the mound with the roots spread out, and cover with 2-3 inches of soil. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil until it’s level with the surrounding ground. Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow ample room for growth, which is vital for healthy asparagus roots and optimal spear production.

Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. During the first year, avoid harvesting spears; allow the fern-like foliage to grow and mature, which helps the plant establish a strong root system for future harvests. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted compost to provide essential nutrients. Protect young plants from weeds, which can compete for nutrients and moisture. In late fall, after the foliage has yellowed, cut back the ferns to about 2 inches above the ground. This prepares the plant for dormancy and the next year’s crop. Monitoring for pests and diseases is also important when growing asparagus, though the ‘Millennium’ variety is known for its resilience. Following these tips will ensure a healthy and productive garden asparagus patch for years to come.

Size & Details

This offering includes 5 individual Millennium asparagus crowns, each a robust 2-year-old bare root plant. These mature crowns are well-established, providing a head start compared to younger crowns or seeds, leading to quicker establishment and earlier harvests. When mature, Millennium asparagus plants typically produce spears that are tender and uniform, ideal for culinary use. The extensive root system of these 2-year crowns ensures vigorous growth and strong spear production. The mature fern-like foliage can reach heights of 4-6 feet during the growing season, contributing to the plant’s overall health and ability to store energy for future harvests. These asparagus roots are shipped without soil, carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in excellent condition, ready for immediate planting in your prepared garden bed. Expect to see significant growth and establishment during the first year, with harvesting typically beginning in the second or third year after planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Millennium asparagus crowns get? A: Each order contains 5 robust 2-year-old bare root Millennium asparagus crowns. Once established, the fern-like foliage can grow 4-6 feet tall during the growing season, with spears typically harvested at 6-8 inches.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Millennium asparagus crowns are outdoor perennial plants. They are best suited for planting directly in a garden bed or a dedicated asparagus patch where they can establish a long-term root system.
• Q: How much sunlight do Millennium asparagus plants need? A: These asparagus plants thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and spear production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Growing asparagus requires initial effort in bed preparation and planting. Once established (after the first year), they are relatively low-maintenance perennials, making them suitable for beginners who are patient and willing to follow initial planting guidelines.
• Q: What condition will the asparagus roots arrive in? A: These asparagus roots are shipped as bare root crowns, meaning they will arrive without soil. They are carefully inspected and packaged to ensure they are healthy and ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Millennium asparagus crowns? A: The best time to plant Millennium asparagus crowns is in early spring, after the last hard frost, when the soil is workable.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature these garden asparagus plants can tolerate? A: ‘Millennium’ asparagus is very cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures well below freezing, making it suitable for USDA Zones 3-8.