Asparagus & Rhubarb 
In our Minnesota climate, there are literally dozens of annual vegetables that can successfully grow each season. But there are only a handful of perennial vegetables hardy enough to survive Minnesota winters. Of those, the most popular with Minnesotans are asparagus and rhubarb.
Asparagus
Chock full of vitamins and minerals, asparagus are one of the earliest vegetables harvested each spring. A long-lived perennial vegetable, asparagus plants can produce for more than 20 years. For added value, asparagus is also a beauty in the garden with its soft, green, fern-like foliage all summer that turns a pretty yellow in the fall. Plant asparagus that is actively growing in containers or, in the early spring, plant asparagus crowns.
Tips for Growing Asparagus
| Light |
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Full sun is best. |
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| Soil |
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Prefers fertile, well drained, light soil. |
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Avoid planting in heavy clay and wet soils. |
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Mix existing soil with organic matter such as composted manure. |
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| Watering |
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After planting, water well. |
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Once established, keep the soil moist but not wet and soggy. |
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| Fertilizer |
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Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as 10–10–10 each spring. |
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| Harvest |
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Do not harvest any spears the first year. |
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During the second season, harvest sparingly for the first 3–4 weeks in the spring and early summer. |
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In the following seasons, harvest will last 8–10 weeks. |
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Cut or snap the spear off just above the soil level. |
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Discontinue harvesting at the end of June. |
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| Post Harvest |
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Continue weeding through the summer months. |
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Excessive weeds will greatly reduce yields. |
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Rhubarb
Another very early vegetable with a long, distinctive history is rhubarb. Rhubarb has been grown in this country since the late 1700s. Like asparagus, rhubarb plants are also valued for their beauty in the garden. Plant rhubarb that is actively growing in containers or, in the early spring, plant rhubarb crowns.
Tips for Growing Rhubarb
| Light |
|
Sun to full sun is best. |
|
| Soil |
|
Prefers fertile, well drained, light soil. |
|
Avoid planting in heavy clay and wet soils. |
|
Mix existing soil with organic matter such as composted manure. |
|
| Watering |
|
After planting, water well. |
|
Once established, keep the soil moist but not wet and soggy. |
|
| Fertilizer |
|
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as 10–10–10 each spring. |
|
Top dress each spring with composted manure. |
|
| Harvest |
|
Do not harvest any spears the first year. |
|
During the second season, harvest only stalks that are at least 1 inch thick. |
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More stalks can be removed the third season but avoid removing more than 2/3 of the total number of stalks at one time. |
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In the following seasons, harvest will last 8-10 weeks. |
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Cut or twist the stalk from the crown. |
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Discontinue harvesting by late July. |
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| Post Harvest |
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Prune any flowers that develop to encourage production of more stalks. |
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Continue weeding through the summer months. |
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Related Bachman's Information
Bachman's Floral, Gift & Garden Centers
Your local garden expert since 1885.
bachmans.com | ©Bachman's 2012
Select source information provided by the University of Minnesota Extension, www.extension.umn.edu.
Last Updated: March 2012
