Asparagus Crowns - Millenium
This is a pre-order item and is expected to ship in March for spring planting. Other seeds, supplies, or kits ordered with this product may ship separately. This product only ships to the lower 48 states. No shipping outside the USA.
365-730 Days to maturity. Asparagus officinalis. Organic Millennium Asparagus Crowns. Non-GMO, hybrid, perennial. Developed at the University of Guelph (Ontario), this award-winning, mostly male hybrid is extremely cold-hardy, rust-resistant, and long-lived, performing well in a wide range of soil types, including heavier and clay soils. Renowned for its high yields, tight spear tips, and longevity, this variety allows gardeners to expect productive beds lasting 15-20 years or more. Tender spears with tight tips, delicious steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or fresh from the garden.
Growing Organic Millennium Asparagus Crowns
Plant crowns in early spring (February-March) as soon as the soil is workable, or even 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Prepare well-drained, fertile beds enriched with compost or aged manure. Dig trenches 8-10 inches deep, spacing rows 2-3 feet apart. Place crowns with buds up and roots splayed, intervals of 12-18 inches apart. Cover with 2-3 inches of soil, gradually filling as spears emerge. Water immediately to settle the soil and keep it evenly moist through establishment.
Allow ferns to fully develop in the first year, no harvest. In year two, begin a light harvest (1-2 weeks), increasing to 4-6 weeks by year three and beyond. Continue growing ferns post-harvest to replenish energy reserves. Each spring, top-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer.
Millennium in the Vegetable Garden
Consider this the “new standard” for home asparagus beds, cold-hardy, long-lived, and fault-tolerant in poor or dense soils. This is a great choice for long-term edible landscapes, raised beds, or permanent garden areas where disturbance is minimal.
Harvesting Millennium Asparagus
Harvest spears when they are pencil-thick (about 6-9 inches tall) and tips remain tight, typical of Millennium’s superior spear quality. Cut just below the soil surface with a sharp knife or snap gently. Stop harvesting when spears thin or the tip opening occurs. After harvest, allow ferns to grow to feed crowns for next season.
About Millennium Asparagus
Developed at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada), Millennium has quickly become a favorite in colder growing regions such as the Upper Midwest and Northeast. In trials, it outperformed Jersey Giant and Jersey Knight, yielding more and maintaining vigor over 15 years. Its high proportion of male plants leads to larger spears, fewer seed berries, and reduced pest pressures, timing across extended harvest periods.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"With asparagus crowns, the hardest part is waiting for those first couple of years; after that, the harvests just keep coming, year after year."
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- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer |
Millennium Asparagus Crowns - Units Per Package:
- 5 Crowns
- 10 Crowns
- 25 Crowns
Organic Millennium Asparagus Crowns are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Asparagus officinalis |
| Lifecycle / Type: | Perennial crowns (2-year crowns ready for planting) |
| Millenium Asparagus Color: | Green |
| Millenium Asparagus Flavor: | Tender, outstanding flavor |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Days to Maturity: | 365-730 (Requires 2-3 years to reliably gather a harvest.) |
| Plant Spacing: | 18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 18 inches |
| Plant Height: | 48-72 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright, fern-like clumping. |
| Soil Preference: | Well-drained, fertile soil; adapts to sandy, loamy, or heavier clay soils |
| Temperature Preference: | Cooler |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun (6 or more hours daylight) |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes. Asparagus roots should be directly planted outdoors in the early spring months. |
| Start Indoors: | Not recommended. |
| Plant Width/Spread: | 24-36 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to rust (intermediately). While this variety is still susceptible to common pests and diseases, it is less likely to have asparagus beetles overwinter in the debris as Millenium goes dormant earlier than other varieties. |
| Garden Size: | Garden Plot, Raised Beds, Fields |
| Climate Tolerance: | Cold-hardy |