{"product_id":"asparagus-mary-washington","title":"Asparagus | Mary Washington","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description rte\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow sweet, tender, and robust green spears of Mary Washington asparagus in your home garden. This classic heirloom variety is a timeless favorite among gardeners, prized for its vigorous growth, heavy production, and delicious, uniform spears with tight, purplish tips that are wonderful for fresh eating, steaming, roasting, and grilling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a hardy perennial crop, Mary Washington asparagus plants establish deep root systems to reward you with a bountiful harvest year after year for up to 15–20 seasons once established. Start seeds indoors in early spring for Canada's growing climate, as starting from seed is an economical way to build a productive, long-lasting asparagus bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Mary Washington Asparagus?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClassic heirloom producing rich green spears with tight, purplish-tinted tips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweet, tender flavor with excellent texture for all culinary uses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-lived perennial vegetable providing decades of spring harvests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptional rust resistance and vigorous, reliable growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 2–3 years to full harvest from seed sowing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrows best in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 50-60 seeds per packet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Grow Mary Washington Asparagus from Seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart asparagus seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last spring frost date. Soak seeds in warm water for 24–48 hours prior to planting to soften the hard seed coat and speed up germination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds 13 mm (1\/2 inch) deep in individual pots or deep cell trays filled with a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix. Maintain warm soil temperatures around 21–27°C (70–80°F) until germination occurs, which typically takes 14–21 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarden off young seedlings gradually after all danger of frost has passed in late spring. Transplant into a permanent, deeply prepared garden trench enriched with plenty of organic compost, spacing plants 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) apart in rows spaced 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 feet) apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the planting bed consistently moist and weed-free. Allow plants to grow undisturbed into feathery ferns during their first two seasons to build strong root reserves for future spring harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Asparagus in Canada\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMary Washington asparagus is exceptionally cold-hardy, thriving across Canadian growing zones down to zone 3. Once established, plants withstand harsh Canadian winters with ease, pushing up fresh, tender shoots as soon as the ground thaws in early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply a thick layer of organic mulch in late autumn to protect root crowns and retain soil moisture throughout dry summer stretches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor detailed instructions covering seed starting, spacing, watering, fertilizing, harvesting, and pest management, read our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/How_To_Grow_Asparagus_-_Complete_Growing_Guide.pdf?v=1791772144\" title=\"How To Grow Asparagus in Canada | Complete Guide\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHow to Grow Asparagus in Canada | Complete Guide (PDF)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMary Washington Asparagus Growing Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 40%; border: none;\"\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 60%; border: none;\"\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/botanical-name-icon.png?v=1790792176\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsparagus officinalis \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/asparagus-icon.png?v=1790810750\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003eAsparagus (Mary Washington)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/plant-cycle-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003ePerennial vegetable crop\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/full-sun-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSun Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/maturity-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e2–3 years (establishing perennial crowns)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/seed-count-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeed Count\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003eApproximately 50-60 seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/pollinators-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePollination Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom variety\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/harvest-icon.png?v=1790783388\" alt=\"\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" style=\"display: block; flex-shrink: 0;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBest Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px; border: none;\"\u003eFresh steaming, roasting, grilling, sautéing, and freezing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrow Your Own Mary Washington Asparagus\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing quite like harvesting tender, sweet asparagus spears straight from your garden every spring. With its long-term longevity, cold hardiness, and delicious flavor, Mary Washington asparagus is an exceptionally rewarding addition to your Canadian vegetable patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart your asparagus seeds this season and build a permanent perennial bed that yields for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Caribou Seed Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50974313808175,"sku":null,"price":23.0,"currency_code":"CNY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1105\/1214\/files\/asparagus2.jpg?v=1738366845","url":"https:\/\/www.caribouseedcompany.com\/en-cn\/products\/asparagus-mary-washington","provider":"Caribou Seed Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}