Asparagus Seeds - UC-157 F2 HYBRID

Buy Asparagus Seeds by the Packet or in Bulk

Unit Size	Unit Price	Savings	Qty
Packet	$3.95
1 Ounce Package	$11.95
1/4 Pound Package	$29.95	37%
1 Pound Sack	$69.95	63%	Notify Me
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Grows 36-48 Inches
Light cuttings in 2 years; Regular cuttings thereafter
Adaptable to full sun or partial shade

Shipping Schedule

Seeds are shipped year-round, while perennials & bulbs are shipped seasonally. Pre-ordered bulbs ship at the proper planting time for your zone. Spring pre-orders are placed any time before March 1. Fall pre-orders are placed any time before September 1. These items will not ship immediately, but will be delivered at the ideal time for planting. Orders containing both seeds and bulbs may be split into multiple shipments. Click here for more shipping information.

Pre-Ordered Spring Bulbs & Perennials	Shipping Begins
Zones 9 - 12	Late February to Early March
Zone 8	Early to Mid March
Zone 7	Mid to Late March
Zone 6	Early April
Zone 5	Late April
Zones 2 - 4	Late April to Early May
In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted.
Saffron Crocus & Bearded Iris	Shipping Begins
All Zones	Late August
Pre-Ordered Fall Bulbs	Shipping Begins
Zones 2 - 4	Mid September
Zone 5	Mid to Late September
Zone 6	Late September
Zone 7	Late September to Early October
Zones 8 - 12	Early to Mid October
In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted.
Pre-Ordered Fall Perennials*	Shipping Begins
All Zones	Mid October
*Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots

Product Description

Grow Asparagus - Plant UC-157 F2 Asparagus Seeds

UC 157 is the most widely planted fresh market asparagus variety in the world. Developed by Frank Takatori and Frank Southers at the University of California at Riverside in 1978, UC 157 is tolerant of Rust (Puccinia asparagi) and highly tolerant of Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporum). F2 is the second generation hybrid produced from the original UC 157, developed and released by University of California-Davis. This variety shows earliness in production, multi-spear initiation (3-5 at a time), uniformity in color & size, and heavier yields than other commercial varieties.

Fast Facts

Name:	Asparagus Seeds - UC-157 F2
Botanical Name:	Asparagus officinalis
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Light Requirement:	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Planting Season:	Warm Season
Plant Type:	Perennial Vegetable, Spears with Scale-like Tips
Features:	Hybrid, Drought Tolerant, Container Garden, Deer Resistant
Fruit Size:	8 inch Shoots
Days to Maturity:	120-365 Days
Plant Height:	36-48 inches
Plant Spacing:	18-20 inches
Planting Depth:	1 inch
Sowing Method:	Direct Sow, Start Indoors
Cold Stratification:	Yes
Seeds per Pound:	12, 800
Hardiness Zones:	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Ships:	Year Round

Planting Instructions

When to Plant Asparagus

Depending on the temperature of the soil, it can take asparagus seeds up to two months to germinate. Time the planting to be ready to transplant the shoots 10 to 12 weeks later. The best time to plant the shoots into your perennial bed is in early spring, after all danger of frost has passed.

How to Plant Asparagus

Though it takes 3 years to harvest from seed, once established, the asparagus plant is long-lived and loyal, staying in the garden for 15 years or longer. Because of this, choose your asparagus planting site wisely! Asparagus plants like full sun, in well-drained soil. It’s best to start your asparagus seeds in flats, planting 1” deep. Keep asparagus beds well weeded and cut plants back to 1" in autumn and mulch with organic matter. Asparagus is a perennial that needs a cold period for dormancy.

When to Harvest Asparagus

Begin the asparagus harvest when plants are 3 years old and fully developed. Cut spears slightly below soil level being careful not to damage underground spears on their way up. Harvest when spears are 8-10” tall and about the diameter of a pencil. Catch them before the buds begin to feather out, by that time it’s too late to harvest.