VegetableAsparagus
UC 72 Asparagus
Green
UC 72 Asparagus is a robust perennial cultivar bred for the challenges of modern vegetable production, thriving in hardiness zones 2 through 7. Unlike older varieties, this open-pollinated selection was specifically developed to handle drought stress and resistance to Fusarium Wilt, two factors that have historically limited asparagus success in many regions. The spears emerge dark green with tight, compact heads and grow noticeably larger than Mary Washington, the industry standard. After an initial 2 to 3 year establishment period, plants deliver generous harvests year after year, often continuing productively for 15 years or more.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/asparagus-seeds-uc-72)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-7
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam; Rich In Organic Matter
Preferred Temp60-85°F
Growth Stats
PeriodPerennial
TypeBush
Spacing
12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 3-4 feet apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-7
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
UC 72 produces notably larger spears than traditional varieties while maintaining the tight, dark green heads that command premium prices at farmers markets. The variety was engineered from the ground up to tolerate both drought and Fusarium Wilt, giving gardeners real confidence in success where other asparagus strains might falter. Its vigor and yield potential appeal equally to market growers scaling up production and home gardeners seeking a reliable perennial that truly earns its garden space.
Common Uses
UC 72 asparagus spears are harvested fresh for cooking, grilling, steaming, or roasting. The larger-than-typical spears make them particularly suited to visible presentations where size and appearance matter, whether plated as a restaurant side dish or bundled for direct sale at farmers markets. Home gardeners grow UC 72 for the same culinary applications, but appreciate the variety's reliability and long productive lifespan, which means a single planting supplies fresh asparagus for decades.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Early Spring (After 2nd Year)
Last Harvest
Late Spring
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Asparagus crowns are typically transplanted rather than grown from seed by home gardeners. Plant UC 72 crowns in spring once soil is workable, spacing them 18 inches apart in prepared beds. The variety is hardy in zones 2 through 7.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting spears only after plants have been in the ground for 2 to 3 years, allowing the crowns time to develop sufficient strength. Harvest spears when they reach 6 to 8 inches tall, cutting them at ground level with a sharp knife or snapping them by hand where they naturally break. Continue harvesting throughout the spring season; the spears will emerge larger and more abundantly as plants mature. UC 72 spears are notably larger than traditional varieties, making them easy to spot and handle during harvest.
Pruning
Allow UC 72 ferns to grow tall and fully develop after each harvest to strengthen the root system and fuel next season's production. Cut down spent ferns in late fall or early spring once they turn brown and papery. Avoid cutting green ferns, as they actively feed the crown and crowns for years to come.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6.5 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Asparagus L.
Family
Liliaceae
Genus
Asparagus
History & Origin
“UC 72 Asparagus emerged from the breeding programs at UC Davis, where plant scientists developed the variety specifically to address two of asparagus growers' most persistent problems: vulnerability to drought conditions and susceptibility to Fusarium Wilt disease. Rather than relying on accident or family heirloom selection, UC 72 represents deliberate horticultural engineering, designed to perform reliably where earlier varieties struggled. The cultivar was created with both commercial and home garden applications in mind, reflecting a shift in 20th-century breeding toward practical, broadly applicable varieties rather than regionally specific heirlooms.”