Description
Millennium is a high-yielding, all-male asparagus variety known for its excellent cold hardiness and uniform spears. It grows best in full sun and prefers well-draining soil, performing especially well in colder climates.
Plants are typically harvested lightly in the second year, with full harvests beginning in the third year. The harvest season lasts 4–6 weeks in spring. Established crowns can produce 0.5–1 lb of spears per plant per season, with productive beds lasting 15–20 years.
Millennium is valued for its strong disease resistance, thick spears, and reliability, requiring regular weeding, consistent moisture, and allowing spears to fern out after harvest to maintain long-term vigor.
Care Instructions
Light: Full sun. Provide at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for strong spear production and healthy fern growth.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment and during spear production. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, asparagus is moderately drought tolerant.
Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. Sandy or loamy soil rich in organic matter is ideal. Avoid heavy, compacted soils.
Fertilizing: Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring before spears emerge. A second light feeding after harvest supports fern growth.
Pruning: Do not harvest spears the first year. After harvest season, allow ferns to grow and feed the crowns. Cut ferns down in late fall or early spring once they turn yellow or brown.
Mulching: Mulch with straw or compost to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and protect crowns during winter.
Support: No support required, though mature ferns can benefit from light staking in windy areas.
Pollination: Not required for spear production. Millennium is a male-dominant variety and does not rely on pollination.
Harvesting: Begin harvesting lightly in the second year and fully in the third year. Harvest spears when they are 6–8 inches tall, snapping or cutting at ground level.