Asparagus and uhh... urine?? Just read on...

I've wanted to try to grow asparagus for years, but didn't know the basics. Linn County Master Gardener, Lisa Slattery, shares that and more below. Just make sure you read to the end:)

Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables and I literally OD on it in the spring. It's also a favorite spring vegetable for Iowa gardeners. It requires little care and produces crops for 15 to 20 years.

 Asparagus will grow in almost any type of well-drained soil, but won't perform if the soil stays wet. It requires full sunlight and a location where garden tilling won't disrupt the plants. Early spring is the best time for planting since research in Iowa has shown heavy plant loss from planting in the fall. Asparagus crowns are more convenient for the home gardener than seed. Plant one-year-old crowns. It's not advisable to plant older crowns, they won't produce good yields.

 Asparagus is a dioecious (die-ee'-shous) plant, meaning there are male and female plants. Male plants are preferred for their higher yield and less seed drop. Several varieties grow well in Iowa including Martha Washington and Watham Washington. There are also disease resistant cultivars that are good choices, such as Jersey Giant and Jersey Knight. Purple passion is a popular variety because the stems are slightly purple and it has a sweeter taste.

 Plant asparagus crowns in 4 to 5 feet rows, spacing the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart, spreading out the roots to avoid overcrowding. Make sure your row has plenty of organic matter worked into the bottom. Harvesting asparagus usually starts in mid April depending on spring weather, but don't harvest any spears the first year. In the second year, harvest spears for only 4 weeks. After that, plan to stop harvesting by June 15

 For more information and specifics on controlling weeds and pests that invade the asparagus bed, visit

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. Your plants will increase yield for several years and be at maximum yield by the 8

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year. Cut or snap the spears when they are 6 to 8 inches in height. Don't cut below the soil surface. Allow the asparagus tops to grow after the final harvest. It's best to leave these on through winter as well to catch snow and prevent deep freezing. Clean up the dead tops prior to spring growth starting.

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM994.pdf . Now I know this is weird but true – if your kids won't eat asparagus tell them it will change the smell of their urine…I know, I know, kinda gross…but I have boys who think that's cool. Guess what? They're asparagus eaters!