Asparagus

 

Asparagus grows most of the year on the Central Coast, i.e., it has a very short dormant period. Because of this, local growers have found a market niche in late July, August, and September of which they can take advantage. For the backyard gardener, the more traditional spring harvest time is still good. The asparagus fern will turn yellow/brown in late fall. At this time you should remove (cut off) the dead fern and build up the beds, so that the plant crowns are covered with several inches of soil. Harvest can then begin as soon as new spears appear in the spring. If you are just planting, do not harvest the first year to year and one half. Let the plants grow to establish a strong, large crown. If the plants are mature, harvesting can occur for 6-8 weeks or until there is a noticed decrease in the diameter of the spears. Then let the spears grow to develop fern to replenish the crowns for next season.