3 years to first harvest, annual harvest. Non-GMO, Hybrid. Perennial. This variety was developed at the University of California, Riverside in 1978 by Frank Southers and Frank Takatori. This hybrid is still planted the most widespread out of any variety of fresh market Asparagus. Plants produce heavy yields of uniform dark green Asparagus spears that grow 36-48”. It is an excellent choice for home gardens, market growers, and open field production.
Growing UC 157 F2 Asparagus Garden Seeds
- Latin Name: Asparagus officinalis
- Other Names:
- Days to Maturity: 3 years to harvest, annual harvest
- Hardiness Zone: all
- Planting Depth: 1”
- Plant Spacing: 2’
- Row Spacing: 18”
- Growth Habit: Upright
- Soil Preference: well drained, PH 6.5 or higher
- Temp Preference: warm
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Resistances: Rust and Fusarium
- Color: Bright green
- Flavor: mild and earthy
Growing Directions:
Sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the final frost of the season, and transplant them to an area with full sun after the final frost. They must be in an environment with a cold winter to give them a period of dormancy. They will need 3 years to establish themselves in the ground, so do not harvest them for the first 3 seasons. In the third growing season, they can be harvested when they are between 8 and 10” tall and about ½” wide and their buds have not yet feathered out. Harvest them by cutting them individually and carefully just below the soil.
Facts:
While this variety is a commitment since it cannot be harvested for the first 3 seasons, it is productive and will produce harvests for around 15 seasons. Choose an area for transplanting seedling wisely to maximize the number of harvests.
Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Approximately 90 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 1,200 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 4,800 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 19,200 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 96,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 480,000 Seeds
UC 157 F2 Asparagus seeds - Hybrid