Asparagus
Asparagus is a popular early-season vegetable. There are approximately 200 acres grown on 129 New York farms annually (2007 Census of Ag). The majority is sold for fresh-market, but a small amount (18 acres) goes for processing. Asparagus is available from the beginning of May through mid-June in New York. It is a popular vegetable at farmer's markets, U-pick operations, retail stands and is also grown for wholesale markets.Commercial asparagus fields are generally planted with one-year old crowns; however, transplants can also be used. Fields take two years to establish, but afterwards can remain in production for 10 to 20 years.
Relevant Events
2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series
January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops
February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates
February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides- Can We Strike the Right Balance?
March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
2026 Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series
February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
February 18, 2026 : Heat Mitigation- Sunburn and Fruit Coloring
February 25, 2026 : The Dating Game- Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
March 4, 2026 : USEPA Endangered Species Act Strategies and Pesticide Use
March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
SPARC WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
March 11, 2026
2026 Onion School
March 12, 2026
Pine Island, NY
Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshops - Kinderhook
March 12, 2026 : Eastern New York Grapevine Pruning Workshop
Kinderhook, NY
Weed Control in Asparagus
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
If you haven't already done your pre-emergent herbicide treatments in your asparagus, it's getting that time! Rutgers University in New Jersey recommends 2.5 lb Solicam DF plus 1-2 lbs Karmex DF (do not apply more than 3 pounds per season), 14 days prior to spear emergence (that's the pre-harvest interval) which means applications need to be going out very soon if not immediately (for beds that are at least 1 year old)! This tank mix works on a wide range of pre-emergent broadleaves and grass weeds and is relatively safe to the asparagus. Both of these materials will not work on already growing weeds and also work better if moisture is received soon after application. If weeds are present, the addition of Gramoxone or other paraquat containing material will help control those weeds already established. The addition of Calisto at 3.0 ozs per acre can also improve residual and Common Larmbsquarter and horseweed (marestail or stickweed) control.
Common Asparagus Beetle Management During Harvest Season
Ethan Grundberg, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Asparagus beetle populations can build up quickly over the course of a couple of seasons. Fields with heavy infestations may require the use of an insecticide during harvest season to knock down the adult population. See what your labeled options are in New York and know that later season applications to target second and/or third beetle populations may also be necessary.
2018 Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference Vegetable Presentations
Presentations from the 2018 ENYCHP Eastern New York Fruit & Vegetable Conference held February 20th and 21st for the vegetable sections.
The Produce Pages, December 2013

Upcoming Events
New Farm Manager Skills Day - Get the Tools You Need to Grow Your People (Hudson Valley)
March 10, 2026 : New Farm Manager Skills Day - Get the Tools You Need to Grow Your People
Millbrook, NY
Are you moving into a supervisory farm management role this season and want to get off to a good start? Are you an experienced manager who wants to connect with other "people" managers and work on your skills? This one-day workshop is for you!
SPARC WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
March 11, 2026
As part of our multi-state SPARC SCRI project on mitigating orchard heat and cold stress, the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School will focus on understanding and managing heat-related challenges in apple and pear production. The program brings together research-based insights and applied discussions on sunburn physiology and mitigation, red color development in apples and pears, and the impacts of heat on postharvest storage and fruit quality. Each session will include an expert presentation, followed by a panel discussion with panelists from across the US.
Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar
March 11, 2026
Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!
