Good growth in the first year is important for large crowns. During the period of stand establishment they should not be water-stressed or overwatered. Water sufficiently to moisten the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Light watering will encourage shallow rooting. During the production period, it is best to pull rather than hoe weeds.
Blanched asparagus is a gourmet item.
To blanch or whiten the spears, mound soil around them or otherwise exclude light from them so that chlorophyll is not formed in the stalks. The fleshy root system needs to develop and store food reserves to produce growth during subsequent seasons. Harvest lightly in the third year for three to four weeks if the ferns the year before were very vigorous, bushy and shoulder-high. It is possible to harvest very lightly in the second year just for a taste if the fern in the previous year was very vigorous, bushy and waist-high. If the fern was weak, postpone harvest until the third year.