| What is the optimal fertilizer for asparagus? How much direct sun does an aspargus patch need? And once the plants are done producing for the season (late spring for my area) could I plant hills of summer squash in the same location? |
| Asparagus needs a deeply prepared, rich soil with a pH of about 6.5. Annual applications of well rotted manure and/or compost in late fall and top dressings in late spring as well as applications of a complete fertilizer such as 5-10-5 according to the label instructions should be sufficient. If you run some basic soil tests, you will be able to judge the fertility level more accurately and amend the soil as needed to grow good asparagus. In addition to good soil preparation, the top dressings and the fertilizer, the asparagus should also be mulched each summer to keep down weeds and again in late fall. The mulch will also help feed the soil over time as it breaks down. Asparagus plants live for a very long time and that is why it is important to improve the soil where they are planted on an ongoing basis. Asparagus plants have amazingly huge root systems and would not make good companions for squash. The two would try to compete for moisture and nutrients and the asparagus would shade the squash as well. Both asparagus and squash need full sun to do their best. |
