Asparagus Argenteuil

Asparagus Argenteuil: variety and characteristics

Asparagus Argenteuil (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial vegetable of the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Argenteuil is a traditional gourmet French asparagus variety, developed in the 18th century. This variety is the traditional French asparagus used to create the popular "white asparagus" in France by blanching the spears.

This variety produces attractive, plump, pink-purple asparagus with excellent flavour and tender tips. Earlier and hardier from seed than most asparagus varieties, it should ideally be sown from mid-March to the end of June.

Asparagus is one of the few perennial vegetable crops.

The spears are picked young in spring. Later in the season the foliage matures into an airy, fern-like cloud that turns golden in autumn. Because asparagus occupies a permanent place in the garden, many people use it as an edging or for a hedge.

Asparagus is a perennial crop that, once planted, produces early spring shoots for 15–20 years.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 75%
• Seeds per packet: 21–29 pcs (0.5 g)
• Seed origin: USA
• Sowing: March and April; seedlings
• Harvest: April – June
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Asparagus Argenteuil

Asparagus Argenteuil seeds are sown in March and April. The crop is harvested from April to June. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Asparagus Argenteuil

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 1.5–2 cm
• Spacing: 30–40 cm, in trenches
• Germination: 14–21 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Plants can be grown from seed about 4 weeks before the last expected frost. More often they are grown from crowns that are 1 year old, together with the roots of the plants. They are planted in a trench with the roots spread over a mound of soil. Dig a trench 20 cm deep and wide enough to hold roots about 25 cm across, then position the asparagus 45 cm apart. Leave 120 cm between the rows. Cover the roots with 5 cm of soil and continue filling the trench as the shoots grow. Make sure you never bury the green shoots completely. The trench can usually be filled by the end of the first growing season, but if not, simply continue working on it in the second year. Water regularly, especially when the plants are young. Feed with compost every year. Keep the soil free of weeds. It takes about three years for the plants to mature enough for harvesting. Before then, the plants should be left to grow and feed themselves. In the third year start harvesting the spears, which are finger-thick and about 20 cm long. You can either snap them off or cut them with a knife. Harvest for about 4 weeks in the first year. In following years you can harvest when the weather warms up, then let the foliage grow and feed the plants.

Raise seedlings in the first year and plant in deeply dug, fertilised soil. Weed regularly.

Harvest and use

The first harvest is in the third year — the 15–20 cm spears are cut in April–June.

Frequently asked questions

When should Asparagus Argenteuil be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 21–29 seeds, pack size 0.5 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 75%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

When are the first asparagus spears picked from seed?

In the third year after sowing — until then the plant builds up its root system.