Jersey Knight Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis 'Jersey Knight'
vegetableJersey Knight is one of the original Rutgers-bred all-male hybrid asparagus varieties, producing up to 3 times more spears than older open-pollinated types because the plants put all their energy into spears instead of seeds. The variety has excellent rust resistance plus tolerance of fusarium wilt and crown rot, and the tight-tipped medium-to-large spears hold beautifully through harvest.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 4 days
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Harvest
~18 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
12-18 in in row, 36 in between rows
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Planting Depth
Crowns in 6-12 in trench; cover gradually
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Soil pH
6.5-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
When to Fertilize
Pre-plant; annually in early spring once established
Fertilizer
10-10-10 at 1 to 1.5 lb per 100 sq ft pre-plant; side-dress with compost annually
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant 1-year-old crowns in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Dig a 6 to 12 in deep trench in well-prepared soil; in heavy clay use 6 to 8 in depth, in sandy soil 10 to 12 in. Spread crown roots over a soil ridge in the trench bottom, 12 to 18 in apart in rows 3 ft apart. Cover with 2 in of soil initially, then add 2 more in as spears grow up through the soil over the season. Wait until year 3 to begin harvesting; established beds produce for 15 to 20 years.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Apr 22 · Year 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomatoes — Tomatoes may help repel asparagus beetle; asparagus releases compounds that benefit tomatoes
- Basil — Repels asparagus beetle and pairs nutritionally
- Parsley — Companion herb that may boost asparagus vigor
- Marigolds — Suppress nematodes in the root zone
❌ Keep away from
OnionGarlic
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Hand-pick adults and crush dark egg clusters on spears; cut and burn old ferns in fall to remove overwintering sites
Plant rust-resistant Jersey Knight; space for airflow; remove old ferns in late fall
Plant resistant Jersey-series cultivars and avoid soggy soils
Iron phosphate bait around young spears; clear garden debris
🌾 Harvest & storage
Do not harvest the first or second year; let crowns build energy. In year 3, harvest spears 7 to 9 in tall for 2 to 3 weeks; in year 4 and beyond, harvest for 6 to 8 weeks. Snap or cut spears at soil level. Stop cutting when spear diameter drops below pencil-thin; let the rest grow into ferns to feed next years crop. Refrigerate trimmed in damp towels for up to a week.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 20 calories per 100 g with 2.1 g fiber, 5.6 mg vitamin C, 202 mg potassium, 52 mcg folate (13 percent of DV), and 41 mcg vitamin K. Asparagus is also a natural source of the prebiotic fiber inulin, which supports beneficial gut bacteria.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Eat the spears. The small red berries that form on mature female plants are toxic and should not be eaten.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.