Mary Washington Asparagus Native Seed 50 Heirloom Non GMO High Yeild Seeds HEIRLOOM strong growing variety produces long, thick spears in May and June. Rust resistant, vigorous, sweet, tender and succulent. Asparagus grown from seed typically takes 3-4 years to reach production. Perennial. High yeild. Mary Washington Asparagus is a winter hardy, frost-tolerant perennial that grows in full sun or light shade. Plant Seeds: 1/2" deep in 4-6" pots. Transplant established seedlings in the spring or fall into fertile, well-cultivated trenches 12" wide and 6-8" deep in rows at least 24" apart. Cover the crowns with about 2 inches of soil, as the ferns emerge and grow, gradually fill in the furrows with layers of rich soil and organic compost. Don't harvest the plants in the first year. The following year, only harvest for 2-3 weeks only picking spears that are thicker than a pencil. For each year after, extend the harvest window by 1 or 2 weeks until harvesting for 8 weeks total. Add 2-3" of aged mulch after planting and each harvest season.