Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Asparagus in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns

August: frost tender

  • Easy to grow. Plant as crowns. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 16 inches apart
  • Harvest in 2-3 years. Plant 'crowns' to harvest earlier .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Parsley, Basil, Nasturtiums, Lettuce
  • Avoid growing close to: Garlic, Onions, and root vegetables

Your comments and tips

04 May 24, Jimmy O (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Can I plant my crowns in Early May or do I need to wait until the fall
19 May 24, Melinda (USA - Zone 8a climate)
If you take care to water and watch for pests like fire ants etc... You could actually put crowns in anytime in months that have workable soil in your proposed asparagus beds... they take a long time to harvest when you first put them in so I suggest getting them in ASAP if you have some waiting. They do quite well here in part shade (Pitt County, NC) and they are VERY forgiving and productive. We have the purple asparagus and it puts out shoots ongoing from early spring and sporadically though hot summer... mostly goes to fern mode in hot weather but still will make occasional shoots out of the norm. As long as you fan out the roots as much as possible and plant them properly they should be fine.
11 May 24, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
The start of spring.
07 Apr 24, Gert van Wyk (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have a few asperagus plants in my garden, do I have to cut down the branches above the soil and when, for them to produce more.
11 May 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Cut them down in late winter and then eat the new shoots in the spring time.
29 Mar 24, Jim Bell (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I was planning on planting asparagus between my grape vines which are new and will be I’m hoping on wires 4 ft above ground. Would the ferns be too high to grow without shading out the grapes?
09 Apr 24, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would suggest you don't. Asparagus need their own area to grow in "full sunlight". They will be there for 20+ years and they spread a bit as the crown grows. You pick the new asparagus shoots (they need full sun then) for about 10-12 weeks and then let the ferns grow (they reach about 4').
26 Mar 24, Rod Ferguson (Canada - Zone 4b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I live in Midland, 50 miles north of our largest harvesting area Allison. Asparagus is my favourite vegetable but Ontario seems to have a season of only a month or so. How does asparagus from Mexico or Peru be available year round? If asparagus was planted in northern Ontario—such as in the agricultural belt near New Liskeard—would our harvesting time be correspondingly extended?
13 Mar 24, Peg (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Can I still plant crowns in March? What varieties are suggested for my area? Florida zoom 10. Can I plant them in the ground or would a grow bag be better?
02 Mar 24, Nancy (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I planted crowns last year in a raised bed. As of today, March 2nd, I have a lot of spears and ferns that are 3-4 feet high. Do I continue to let them grow or cut it all down at the soil level? Can’t seem to find the right answer.
Showing 11 - 20 of 574 comments

Bought a punnet of Asparagus ferns a year ago and transplanted them in the ground but did not space them enough. They are still a few inches tall. When is the best time time to dig them out to re-plant? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

- Sav

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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