{"product_id":"pepi-ca-asparagus-officinalis-jersey-giant","title":"‘Jersey Giant’ Asparagus (\u003cem\u003eAsparagus officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Jersey Giant’)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘Jersey Giant’ Asparagus (\u003cem\u003eAsparagus officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Jersey Giant’)\u003c\/strong\u003e is an all-male hybrid from the Rutgers breeding program in New Jersey. Approximately seven to ten days earlier than several cultivars, it produces large uniform green spears with purple bracts and tight tips. Male plants normally form no berries or seed and direct more energy toward the crop, explaining their higher yield compared with older mixed-sex varieties. ‘Jersey Giant’ also provides excellent vigour, rust resistance and tolerance to Fusarium wilt and crown or root rot. It was the first widely successful Rutgers all-male hybrid and became known for broad adaptation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose a permanent full-sun site with deep, fertile, organic-rich and freely draining soil. A pH close to 6.5 to 7.0 is particularly suitable. Plant crowns in early spring in a trench, spacing them approximately 30 to 45 cm apart, and gradually fill the trench as shoots lengthen. Keep the bed free of weeds and water regularly during establishment and after harvest. Spring compost and balanced nutrition after harvest support long-term production. Avoid compacted, waterlogged ground because crown and root diseases can shorten the productive life of an asparagus planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not harvest any spears during the first year. In the second season, limit picking to one or two weeks; from the third year onward, extend the period gradually through mid-June. Harvest spears at approximately 15 to 25 cm tall before their tips open. Stop when most shoots become thinner than a pencil, then allow all fern growth to develop. After a hard frost, remove completely browned stems. Only young spears are intended for food. Despite Fusarium tolerance, avoid infested, saturated soil and excessive harvest periods that would weaken the crown. Prompt refrigeration preserves spear quality after picking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pépinière.ca","offers":[{"title":"1 gallon","offer_id":58658016428192,"sku":"FRUASPJEGI1GL","price":16.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0655\/3878\/5440\/files\/asparagus-jersey-giant.png?v=1793121022","url":"https:\/\/www.pepiniere.ca\/en\/products\/pepi-ca-asparagus-officinalis-jersey-giant","provider":"Pépinière.ca","version":"1.0","type":"link"}