Description
The Vittorio F1 Asparagus is a modern, high-quality Italian hybrid (often entirely male, which increases yield) prized by both commercial growers and home gardeners.
Key Characteristics:
High Yield & Early Season: It is a very productive hybrid with an early start to the harvest season, delivering a large number of spears per plant.
Versatile Spears: It produces tender, thick, and uniform spears (turions) that are suitable for growing either as white asparagus (by earthing up the crowns) or green asparagus (by allowing the spears to grow above ground). The flavour is excellent due to its naturally low fibre content.
Disease Resistance: The variety is known to be robust, offering good resistance and tolerance to common asparagus ailments like rust (ruggine) and Fusarium.
Perennial Investment: When you plant the Vittorio crown, you are investing in a productive patch that will supply fresh asparagus spears every spring for over a decade.
Planting Guide: Establishing Your Asparagus Patch
Asparagus requires patience. The first significant harvest typically begins in the third year after planting the crowns, but it is well worth the wait!
Planting the Crowns: Asparagus crowns should be planted during their dormant season, typically November to March in Malta.
Location/Sun: Choose a spot that gets full sun (South to South-West facing) and is out of the way, as this is a permanent crop.
Soil Preparation (Crucial): Asparagus requires deep, rich, well-drained soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Dig deep trenches (approx. 20-30 cm deep) and amend the soil heavily with well-rotted manure or compost.
Planting: Place the crowns in the bottom of the trench, spreading the roots out, and cover with only a small layer (5 cm) of the amended soil, ensuring the buds are pointed upward.
Watering: Water regularly and consistently, especially in the first two years, to encourage strong root development.
Earthing Up
For White Asparagus: If you desire white asparagus, gradually mound the soil high over the crowns during the spring to prevent light from reaching the emerging spears.
For Green Asparagus: If growing green, simply allow the spears to grow up through the soil.
Year 1 & 2 (Establishment): DO NOT HARVEST in the first year. In the second year, harvest only for a brief period (2-3 weeks). The plant needs this time to develop a strong root system (crown).
Year 3 Onwards (Full Harvest): Begin harvesting when the spears are pencil-thick, typically for 6–8 weeks in the spring. Stop harvesting when the spears become thin, allowing the plant to develop its ferny foliage to recharge the roots for the following year.
Why Buy This Crown?
Start your permanent asparagus patch with the Vittorio F1 hybrid. You are guaranteed a high-yielding, vigorous Italian variety known for its tender, delicious, and low-fibre spears. Enjoy the first of your home-grown, gourmet asparagus in just a couple of years—a true perennial investment!
