Apollo

Family: Asparagaceae Vegetable

Apollo asparagus arrives with a strikingly sweet, clean flavor and a tender, succulent bite—spears that feel silky rather than fibrous.

At maturity, the spears emerge in an elegant, upright form with a refined texture that holds its poise whether you enjoy them fresh or turn them into vibrant preparations. Ideal for home gardeners seeking a reliable, long-season performer, Apollo rewards with consistent harvest quality from spring onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Clumping

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Apollo asparagus leans sweet and tender—so cook it fast and stop early; if you overdo it, the spears go from silky to stringy. It’s the kind of spear that shines with bright acid (lemon/vinaigrette) and nutty fat (brown butter) without needing heavy sauces.

Best Uses

quick sauté or blistering under high heat to keep the interior silky
steamed and finished with brown butter and lemon
grilled spears with a tight vinaigrette that clings to the slender texture
light pickling for crisp, sweet-tasting brunch snacking

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean asparagus flavor silky-tender spears gentle vegetal snap with a refined finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon brown butter parmesan eggs garlic olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew on Apollo (120-day) plants?

Look for a white, dusty coating on Apollo leaves that starts in warm, dry spells and then spreads. Remove the most affected leaves early, then thin foliage for airflow and avoid overhead watering so leaf surfaces stay dry. Spray a labeled sulfur fungicide (or potassium bicarbonate) at the first sign and repeat according to the product label, especially during humid stretches.

How often should I water Apollo during the main growing phase (about weeks 4–10)?

During active vegetative growth, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—water enough to wet the root zone to about 6–8 inches, then wait until the top 1 inch of soil dries before watering again. In full sun, this often works out to roughly 1–2 deep waterings per week, but increase frequency during hot, windy weather and reduce if the soil stays wet or plants look droopy from overwatering.

How can I tell when Apollo is ready to harvest?

Apollo is ready when pods/fruit are fully developed for the variety size, the surface color matches the expected ripe stage, and the plant has largely finished pushing new growth. Harvest in the morning once ripe (before heat softens texture), and if you gently press a mature pod/fruit and it feels firm and springy rather than soft, it’s ready to pick.