Since the beginning of Pendleton’s Country Market, asparagus has been the cornerstone and beginning of the harvest season. As the growers and caretakers of the largest single patch of asparagus in the state of Kansas, we enjoy sharing information about the care, feeding, and culinary preparation of this remarkable little vegetable. We promote gardeners to plant asparagus in their gardens, and hope to give you the tools that will make your asparagus patch a success!

We have three varieties of asparagus this year, Atlas, Millennium and Purple Passion.

 The Atlas asparagus is resistant to most diseases that affect asparagus plants and it does very well in hot climates. It also produces a large crop and is very sturdy. It has dark-green spears with a little bit of purple on the bud scales and it has an especially high tolerance to fusarium.  It can grow in both cool and warm climates as long as it is exposed to at least six hours of sunlight a day and it is drought-tolerant.

The Millennium green variety is one that we have grown for a number of years now with success. Its yields surpass the Jersey varieties by almost twofold, and can still take our warm summers.  Growers are reporting higher yields and better stand longevity with Millennium.  It goes dormant earlier in the fall and wakes up more slowly in the spring, reducing the risk of early spring frost damage.  This should also reduce the risk of asparagus beetle overwintering.

The Purple Passion cultivar of asparagus produces a beautiful burgundy colored, low fibered spear with tightly oppressed bud scales and a rounded head shaped tip. The interior of Purple Passion is a creamy-green color. Spear diameter is larger than green asparagus due to the vigorous growth they undergo. The flavor of this spear is mild and sweet, often referred to as being like fresh green peas. Sugar content of Purple Passion is also 20% higher than green asparagus.