Mary Washington is still the standard garden asparagus. Reliable year in and year out. Mary Washington produces thick dark green stalks.HEIRLOOM. Light cuttings in 2 years; regular cuttings thereafter. Asparaguses are perennial vegetables, so you just plant them once and enjoy season after season of succulent spears. Seeds can be started indoors in spring for transplanting out around last frost. Bare roots can be planted as soon as they arrive in spring. Rooted plants are great for fall and should be planted 4-6 weeks before first fall frost. In 2 years, you'll have a light crop and a regular crop thereafter. Long after harvest, the graceful, feathery green foliage is still attractive.