Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

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

(Best months for growing Asparagus in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Plant as crowns. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 40 cm 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

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09 Jun 23, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought a punnet of very fine spindly asparagus plants a few days ago from Bunnings not much information on how to plant should they be planted individually or should I leave them in a clump? Theres about 2 dozen measuring 3 to 6 inches in height and should they be planted in a separate piece of ground or tub?
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10 Jun 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could plant out but you would have to pay a lot of attention to them. Work out how many plants you want to grow - 6-8-10. Maybe plant two seedlings together and later (3-4mths) reduce to one plant. OR plant into pots and grow them to about ,5m and then plant in the ground. Plant in a separate part of the garden as you will have them for 20 years. The ferns grow to 1.2-1.5m high.
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16 May 23, Marsha Kincaid (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Want to start my asparagus bed this Fall. When is best time? Are there different instructions than for Spring planting?
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15 May 23, (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
I have a single shoot growing from 2 plants that are 12–14in tall already in middle of May. Should I cut these down now?
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19 May 23, (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
Let them grow for the first 2-3 years.
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12 May 23, don jinks (USA - Zone 4a climate)
starting a new garden at new house what month should I plant the asparagus in zone 4 since Ive missed the spring planting?
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13 May 23, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
It says plant now. Try crowns if you can get them.
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01 May 23, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I’m in East Tennessee. Do I plant in sun or shade? I’m originally from Iowa and it would grown wild at the base of trees.
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08 May 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Full sun.
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13 Feb 23, Gerrie Steenkamp (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy seeds and plants in SA
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Showing 21 - 30 of 560 comments
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The transplanted ones will depend on how they were treated last year - whether they were left to build up energy reserves for this year. If you had plenty of spears grow into ferns then they should produce this year. Probably also depends how old the old crowns are. Last year while I was growing mine from 12 mth crowns to 24 mths I use to put about half a cup of fert in 9 L of water and feed them each month - only had 3 crowns. I also put manure/compost on in august. I have crowns that are coming up to 3 years old - that is from when seeds were planted - they have been shooting spears for a few weeks now - I have cut them back and manured and watered them. My seedlings which will be 12 mths old in Sept - I have not cut them back yet or put manure on them yet - will probably do that in about two weeks time. I have not watered them for the last month - they are not growing at the moment. As for manure - chicken is the richest in N followed by cow and then horse manure. I read the other day horse is about 1.75% N. Whatever manure you can get and add some fert if you like. We have had only one week of cool weather so far this winter - that is night temps down to 6-8 degrees.

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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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