Millennium Asparagus is a newer variety that was awarded "Seed of the Year" in 2005 at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. When you consider the advantages it is no surprise why! Developed by Professor David Wolyn of the University of Guelph in Canada, Millennium Asparagus will out yield nearly all Asparagus varieties. It’s excellent flavor is matched with its tight tipped, uniform spears, which allow for harvesting a taller spear and thus more pounds per harvest! Millennium is naturally very high in "Rutin" a natural bioflavonoid that is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Being developed in Canada, it tolerates cooler springs and cold winters, resulting in a lower winter kill rate than typical US hybrid varieties. As a Late season asparagus crop, Millennium is a top performer, even in hotter temperatures. Unlike typical asparagus varieties, that only grow well in sandy loam soil, Millennium will grow well in nearly all soil types...Even Clay Soils! Grows in USDA zones 3-8 and is Rust-resistant. Coming from 1st generation seed these crowns are virtually all Male. Male Asparagus crowns produce far more spears than female crowns. While many asparagus sellers claim their variety are “all male” many are not. In order to get all male asparagus seeds, plants must be grown in a fully screened field to prevent any pollinators from entering the field. If asparagus that is grown for seed, is grown in an open field, pollinators are able to pollinate many of the blooms resulting in female seeds. Due to the cost of growing such seed very few farmers are able to grow asparagus seed (which produce crowns) that can truly be all male seed. 1st Generation Millennium seed is only grown on a 5 acre fully screened plot of land in Canada. Crowns have been recently harvested from the fields, are plump and full of vitality as compared to what is found in the “Big Box” stores the dried shrivelled. As with any asparagus variety, you should not harvest any spears the year of planting to establish the root struction. Only harvest a small amount the second year, followed by a full harvest the 3rd year and following. A bundle of 25 crowns will plant a 4’ x 12’ bed. A well cared for asparagus patch can easily produce a harvest each year for 15-25 years so investing in a high quality variety like Millennium is a wise investment. With all of Millennium’s advantages and excellent flavor it is sure to be a favorite of every home gardener and CSA.
