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GREEN-Seeds.com
vegetables & herbs
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Asparagus and Rhubarb H-61
(Revised),
December 1987 Reviewed and reprinted April 1995 Ronald C. Smith, Extension
Horticulturist and Turfgrass Specialist
Asparagus
is the earliest vegetable you can harvest from your garden in the spring.
The young, tender shoots of asparagus usually reach cutting size about
mid-May in North Dakota. New shoots may be cut as often as every other
day if temperatures and moisture conditions are favorable.
Soil and Site
 Asparagus can be grown
on most any type of soil that is well drained. For large market garden plantings,
site preparation should be started a year or more in advance of planting
crowns. This aids in complete control of hard-to-kill perennial weeds, such
as quackgrass, Canada thistle, etc., before planting. If barnyard manure
is not available, a heavy green manure crop (soybeans or sweet clover) should
be plowed down the preceding year to add as much organic matter as possible.
Small home garden plots may be prepared a year ahead or planted directly
if the area is free of noxious weeds. Barnyard manure, compost or peat incorporated
into the soil the fall before planting will enhance growth and establishment
of asparagus.
Plants or Seeds
Asparagus may be started
from seed. However, if only a few plants are needed for the home garden,
it is usually best to purchase the crowns from a seed company or nursery.
Varieties Jersey Giant, Mary Washington, Viking and Viking KB3. Several
"super males" should be given trial consideration in North Dakota: Greenwich,
Jersey Centennial and UC 157.
Planting Plant year-old
plants in holes or a trench 5 to 6 inches deep in sandy soils and 3 to 4
inches deep in heavy clay soils. Rows should be spaced 4 to 5 feet apart
while crowns are spaced 18 inches apart within the row.
Culture Since harvest
of shoot begins when frost is still possible, do not allow emerged shoots
to become frosted. Frost damaged shoots will keep the crowns from yielding
at the optimum level. Asparagus responds to liberal annual applications
of fertilizer. Well rotted manure or compost should be applied at a rate
of one bushel per 30 square feet. One annual application of commercial fertilizer
can be broadcast over the row by spreading 10-10-10 or equivalent fertilizer
at a rate of 11Ž2 to 2 cups over 10 feet of row. It may be applied either
in late fall, very early in the spring or after the harvesting season has
ended in late June. Recommendations to fit all conditions are difficult
to make. The appearance of the plants has to be a guide. Keep in mind the
vigorous top growth in one season is the best assurance for a good yield
the following season. Hand weeding the first year is a necessity, as herbicide
use may damage plants. In subsequent years, the use of herbicides such as
Simazine and Treflan will control most weeds.
Harvesting Depending
on the vigor of the plants, some harvesting can take place the first year.
The cutting season should be short the first and second season, but the
following year's cutting may begin when the first shoots appear and continue
for about six weeks. Do not cut in the last week of June. The shoots are
best cut when 6 to 10 inches high. Push a knife into the soil close to the
shoot, cutting it slightly below the soil surface, or simply snap the shoot
off with your fingers.
Allow the Tops to Stand
Allow the tops to stand over winter to catch and hold snow. This may help
prevent deep freezing and sudden changes in soil temperature. The added
moisture provided by this melting snow is also important to the crop of
shoots produced the following spring. Remove the dead tops in the spring,
before growth starts.
Rhubarb Fresh rhubarb
sauce or pie is a delightful substitute for fresh fruit in late spring or
early summer when other fruits are not yet in season. Rhubarb is easy to
grow and will stand considerable neglect and still be there the following
spring. Two or three rhubarb plants are usually adequate for the average
family. Rhubarb stalks (the leaf petiole) can be washed, diced and frozen
for winter use. Pack raw or blanch for one minute in boiling water; cool
in ice water, drain and pack unsweetened or use a syrup or sugar pack. The
leaves are not edible, either raw or cooked. Poisoning has been reported
from eating the leaf blades of this plant.
Soils Deep, fertile
loams, well-supplied with organic matter, are best suited for rhubarb growing.
Well-rotted manure benefits most rhubarb beds. Yields will be increased
with clean cultivation and added fertility.
Divide Plants to Reset
Rhubarb is usually propagated by divisions of crowns formed during previous
seasons. Crowns are divided in late fall or early spring. Take care to leave
as much root as possible with each eye or bud. Plants from such crown divisions
are preferred to plants raised from seed. Plants grown from seed seldom
equal the production or quality of the named rhubarb varieties. If more
than one row is planted, rows should be 5 feet apart with plants 3 to 4
feet apart in the row. Set crowns about 4 inches deep. In the average garden,
rhubarb is usually planted at one side of the garden where it will not be
disturbed when the main garden is plowed or roto-tilled in the fall. At
the end of the asparagus row is a good location.
Reset Every Fourth Year
Divide and reset plants about every fourth year to keep the bed in vigorous
condition. Use a sharp spade or shovel to divide the crown, leaving 3 to
4 buds undisturbed in the old location. Portions removed may be used to
enlarge the bed. Do this renewal work in the fall or early spring. Plants
not divided in this manner become large and the stalks become more numerous
than is desirable. Remove seed stalks as they appear. They reduce the yield
and vitality of the plant.
Use Recommended Varieties
Recommended rhubarb varieties for North Dakota are: Valentine, Ruby, McDonald,
Canadian Red and Sunrise, varieties from Canada, are preferred.
H61(Revised), December
1987 Reviewed and reprinted April 1995
NDSU Extension Service,
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and U.S.
Department of Agriculture cooperating. Sharon D. Anderson, Director, Fargo,
North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May
8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age,
Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity
employer. This Publication will be made available in alternative format
for people with disabilities upon request 701-231-7881.
North Dakota State
University NDSU Extension Service
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