CRGO ASPARAGUS Seed  (5 per packet)

GROWING GUIDE FOR ASPARAGUS SEEDS PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS For the patient gardener, growing asparagus from the seeds is a rather slow but rewarding process since it takes three to four weeks for the seedlings to appear. Soak the seeds for 3 to 4 hours before planting and plant the seeds about ½ inch deep in the soil. Ensure that the soil in your garden bed is well drained since asparagus plants can die with excessive soil moisture. You can also choose to allow the sprouts to appear indoors and then transplant the seedlings once they are sturdy enough to handle the outside environment. GROWING REQUIREMENTS PESTS Common Asparagus Beetle (CAB), cutworms, slugs are a few pests that can affect the growth of the plant resulting in yellowish crowns, dead crowns & brittle plants. You can try removing the affected area of the plant & keep a watch on watering frequency to avoid diseases and pests. SOIL Nutrient-rich & well-drained soil is key to the growth of Asparagus plant. Soil pH should range between 6 to 7 for asparagus to grow well. Soil temperatures for seed germination should be between 21-29°C(70-85°F) SPOT Asparagus grows well in a bright sunny spot and can tolerate moderate shade. WATERING Asparagus is a drought tolerant plant & can even grow well with rainfall as the only watering source. However, one should ensure moist growing soil for the plant to grow well as asparagus tends to extract moisture deep in the roots. Frequent watering would only be required once the crowns appear on the plant. WEED CONTROL Weeds will often compete with the crop for nutrition and & moisture. Hence it is advisable to remove the hand pull the weeds as & when they appear. HOW TO HARVEST Harvest the asparagus crowns after two seasons as the plants need to mature & establish their roots in the grounds. Cut the asparagus just 1-2 inches above the ground with a sharp knife. Rinse & add the vegetable to your greens to consume fresh, though asparagus will also last in the fridge for a couple of days.