Mary Washington Asparagus

‘Mary Washington’ is a traditional open-pollinated garden asparagus cultivar valued for its edible green spring spears and dependable performance in cold-winter gardens. Seed-grown plantings contain both male and female plants, and mature fern growth after harvest is essential for building the crown’s reserves for the following year. ## Cultivar and site [University of Minnesota Extension](https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/growing-asparagus) identifies Mary Washington as open-pollinated and very cold hardy, while noting that yields are lower than the newer Jersey varieties and seedlings may spread from female-plant berries. [Iowa State University Extension](https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2020/04/planting-asparagus-home-garden) likewise classifies Mary Washington as a standard cultivar with an approximately equal mix of male and female plants. Grow asparagus in a sunny, fertile bed with good drainage; allow permanent space for the spreading root crown and tall, airy ferns. ## Harvest and seasonal growth Treat asparagus as a long-term crop rather than a quick spring planting. Young crowns need time to establish before harvesting; once harvesting begins, limit the cutting period and then let the remaining spears grow into leafy ferns. The [University of Maine Cooperative Extension guide](https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2071e/) explains that the fern is the plant’s photosynthetic growth and supplies energy for future spears. Its mature size depends on plant age and whether spears are harvested or allowed to develop. ## Maintenance Water consistently during establishment and dry periods, keep weeds from competing with young crowns, and avoid deep cultivation that can injure the roots. After harvest, preserve the fern growth through the rest of the season; remove it after it yellows and dries in autumn or before new spring spears emerge.