Mary Washington Asparagus is the gold standard heirloom variety for home gardeners and small-scale growers seeking reliable, long-term production. This non-GMO cultivar is prized for its vigorous growth and exceptional yield potential, delivering thick, tender spears year after year once established. As a perennial crop, Mary Washington plants mature into productive crowns that continue producing for 10–15 years with proper care — making it one of the best long-term investments for permanent garden beds. Spears are uniform in size, excellent for fresh eating and preservation, and develop rich flavor when harvested at peak tenderness. Note: asparagus takes approximately 3 years from seed to first harvest — patience is rewarded with decades of production.

Germination Rate: 87%. Test Date: 10/25. TLM.

Texas Minimum Germination Rate: 70%.

Why Choose Mary Washington Asparagus?

• 10–15 Year Perennial Harvest: Plant once — harvest for decades. Mary Washington crowns produce abundant spears year after year with proper care.
• Gold Standard Heirloom: The most trusted and widely grown asparagus variety for home gardens for over 75 years.
• Thick, Tender Spears: Uniform, flavorful spears ideal for fresh eating, roasting, grilling, steaming, canning, and freezing.
• Long-Term Garden Investment: One of the most rewarding perennial vegetables a home gardener can grow — a permanent bed that pays off for years.
• Heirloom & Open-Pollinated: Passed down through generations — save seeds year after year to sustain your asparagus bed.
• Non-GMO Seeds: Plants whose DNA has not been altered in ways that do not occur naturally through traditional breeding methods.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Requires full sun — at least 6 to 8 hours per day — for best crown development and spear production.
• Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5–7.0. Asparagus roots grow deep — prepare beds to at least 12 inches.
• Starting from Seed: Start seeds indoors 12–14 weeks before last frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after last frost when 10–12 inches tall.
• Establishing Crowns: Year 1 and 2: allow ferns to grow fully to build strong root crowns. Do not harvest spears during establishment years.
• First Harvest: Year 3: harvest spears for 2–3 weeks only. Year 4+: harvest for 6–8 weeks per season as crowns mature.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows 4–5 feet apart. Asparagus needs room to spread as crowns expand over the years.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during establishment. Mature beds are moderately drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering during spear production.
• Fertilizing: Top-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer each spring before spears emerge and again after the final harvest.
• Harvesting: Cut spears at ground level when 6–8 inches tall and before tips begin to open. Stop harvesting when spears thin to pencil-size to allow ferns to develop.

Why Choose David’s Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David’s Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: David’s Garden Seeds® holds a valid Vegetable Seed License, ensuring our seeds meet state and federal quality standards.
• Great Customer Service: David answers all customer service questions. Usually within a few minutes.

Cooking Methods

• Roasting: Toss spears in olive oil, salt, and pepper — roast at 425°F for 12–15 minutes for caramelized, tender asparagus with crispy tips.
• Grilling: Grill over medium-high heat for 4–6 minutes, turning once — finish with lemon juice and shaved parmesan for a classic preparation.
• Steaming: Steam whole spears for 4–6 minutes for a clean, tender side dish — serve with butter, hollandaise, or a simple vinaigrette.
• Sautéing: Sauté in olive oil with garlic and shallots for 5–7 minutes over medium-high heat for a quick, flavorful side.
• Freezing: Blanch spears for 2–3 minutes, cool in ice water, and freeze for a year-round supply of garden-fresh asparagus.

Order Mary Washington Asparagus Seeds Today

Order yours today and plant a perennial asparagus bed that will reward you with fresh spears for 10–15 years — it takes about 3 years to the first harvest, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Nutritional Information

Applies to harvested asparagus spears (not planting seeds). Per ½ cup (90g) cooked asparagus:

• Calories: 20
• Total Fat: 0.2g (0% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 13mg (1% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 3.7g (1% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 1.8g (6% Daily Value)
• Total Sugars: 1.2g
• Protein: 2.2g
• Folate: 134mcg (34% Daily Value)
• Vitamin K: 45.5mcg (38% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 7.5mg (8% Daily Value)

*Percent Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutritional values are estimates for harvested spears from mature asparagus plants.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Heirloom varieties may exhibit natural variation in size and maturation. Results may vary based on growing conditions, climate, soil preparation, and gardening practices.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration in an airtight container extends viability. Properly stored asparagus seeds remain viable for 2–3 years.
• Planting Zones: Best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8. Mary Washington asparagus requires a winter dormancy period for best long-term crown health and is not recommended for Zone 9+ without a cold treatment. Consult your local extension service for zone-specific planting guidance.
• Long-Term Commitment: Asparagus is a perennial crop requiring 2–3 years of establishment before the first harvest. Do not harvest spears during the first two growing seasons to allow crowns to develop fully.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David’s Garden Seeds®.