Asparagus Seeds – Argenteuil White | PERENNIAL

Argenteuil White Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a long-lived perennial vegetable grown for its tender edible spears.

Start seeds in deep nursery containers and transplant healthy seedlings into a permanent, well-draining bed. White spears are produced by excluding sunlight from emerging shoots.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Asparagus officinalis

• Common Name: White Asparagus

• Variety: Argenteuil

• Plant Type: Perennial Vegetable

• Edible Part: Young Tender Spears

• Spear Colour: White to Cream when blanched

• Spear Tips: May show pale pink or purple colouring

• Spear Shape: Long, Thick and Cylindrical

• Taste: Mild, Tender and Delicate

• Mature Foliage: Fine, Fern-Like Green Growth

• Plant Height: Approximately 100–150 cm during fern growth

• Sunlight: Full Sun

• Growth Habit: Upright, Crown-Forming Perennial

• First Harvest: Generally from the third growing season after sowing

• Productive Life: Potentially 10–15 years or longer under suitable conditions

• Special Features: Long-term harvesting potential, tender edible spears and suitability for permanent kitchen gardens

Recommended Grow Bags

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch – 1 young plant for nursery establishment before transplanting.

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch – 1 young plant for initial growth; not preferred for long-term production.

G-20 F Grow Bag – 20 × 16 inch – 1 plant, suitable for container cultivation with careful root and moisture management.

G-24 F Grow Bag – 24 × 18 inch – 1 plant, recommended for additional root depth and perennial growth.

G-28 F Grow Bag – 28 × 18 inch – 1 established plant with generous rooting space.

Important: Asparagus develops a deep and extensive perennial crown and root system. Permanent raised beds or open-ground cultivation are preferable for maximum long-term productivity.

For producing white asparagus, allow sufficient growing-medium depth for covering emerging shoots and excluding sunlight.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat.

Use deep, loose, fertile and well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

A soil pH of approximately 6.5–7.5 is suitable.

Avoid heavy, compacted and waterlogged soils, which may cause crown and root rot.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Nursery sowing recommended

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 1–2 cm

• Germination: 14–28 days

• Ideal Germination Temperature: 20–25°C

• Pre-Sowing Treatment: Soak seeds in room-temperature water for 12–24 hours

• Seeds per Cell: 1 seed in a sufficiently deep nursery container

• Transplanting: When seedlings are strong and have developed healthy roots

• Permanent Plant Spacing: Approximately 30–45 cm

• Row Spacing: Approximately 90–120 cm

• Watering: Maintain even moisture during germination and establishment

Transplant carefully to avoid damaging the developing root system.

For long-term cultivation, select a permanent growing position because established asparagus plants do not benefit from frequent disturbance.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours daily for healthy fern growth and crown development.

Watering: Water regularly during seedling establishment and active growth.

Established plants benefit from deep watering when required, but the soil must drain freely.

Avoid prolonged waterlogging, especially around mature crowns.

Growth & Harvesting

• First Harvest: Generally from the third growing season after sowing

• Harvested Part: Young Emerging Spears

• Spear Colour: White or Cream when protected from sunlight

• Spear Texture: Tender and Firm

• Harvesting Height: Approximately 15–20 cm

• Growth Habit: Perennial Crown with Seasonal Fern Growth

• Harvesting Season: Mainly during suitable spring conditions

• Harvesting Duration: Limited initial harvest, increasing as crowns mature

How to Produce White Asparagus:

1. Allow the plants to establish strong crowns during their first two growing seasons.

2. Before spring spear emergence, mound loose, well-draining soil over the crown to exclude light.

3. Maintain sufficient coverage as the spears grow upward.

4. Harvest tender shoots before they become exposed to sunlight.

5. Allow remaining shoots to develop into green fern-like foliage after the harvesting period.

Important: White asparagus is produced through blanching. Without this process, developing spears become green.

Avoid harvesting during the first two growing seasons so plants can develop sufficient food reserves for future production.

Feeding

Mix GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost thoroughly into the soil before planting.

Apply balanced nutrition during active fern growth to support crown and root development.

Provide additional organic matter when necessary, without burying or damaging the crown.

Avoid excessive fertilization and poor drainage.

Important Seasonal Care

• Choose a permanent, well-draining growing location.

• Provide adequate sunlight for healthy fern development.

• Maintain consistent moisture during establishment.

• Protect young seedlings from extreme summer heat.

• Ensure drainage during monsoon rains.

• Remove weeds carefully without disturbing the crowns.

• Allow fern-like foliage to develop fully after harvesting.

• Remove dead foliage after natural seasonal dieback.

• Avoid harvesting young, underdeveloped crowns.

• Use light exclusion when producing white spears.

• Monitor for asparagus beetles, rust and crown rot.

• Allow several growing seasons for productive crown establishment.

Kitchen Garden & Culinary Uses

• Steamed white asparagus

• Boiled asparagus

• Roasted asparagus spears

• Grilled asparagus

• Creamy asparagus soup

• Pasta dishes

• Vegetable salads

• Sautéed asparagus

• Gourmet vegetable preparations

• Homegrown perennial kitchen gardens

Related Products

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• GREEN GARDENS Vegetable Seeds

• Gardening with Javed Iqbal