Q. Is it too late to plant asparagus in Western MA? What is a good, disease-resistant and productive variety for this region? And where can I get them in June? Just had a trench dug…. Thanks!
-Tyringham, Massachusetts
A. It’s not too late to plant asparagus if you can still get plants. The most disease resistant varieties are the “Jersey” series. You can buy them here, but early in the spring only: www.jerseyasparagus.com/.
-Denny Blew, BlewLabel Perennials
Bridgeton, New Jersey
And another answer!
A. It’s not too late to plant asparagus anywhere in the Northeast right now. Like most perennial crops, as long as they’re well established before winter, they will be fine. (However, the smaller they are into winter, the less likely you’ll have a crop large enough from which to glean lightly in your second year. By years three and four, you’ll be fine, though.) You’ll probably have to do a little hunting online to find a company that can send you crowns this time of year; they’re mainly sent in early spring.
Good luck!
Doug Muller, Hudson Valley Seed Library
Accord, NY
www.seedlibrary.org
