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 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

02 Jan 24, Claire (USA - Zone 9b climate)
We have asparagus in raised beds in zone 9b and they are doing great going into our third year Give it a go what is there to lose ?
12 Dec 23, Bongani Mhlabeni (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am the Procurement Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture Lesotho and like to Procure Asparagus Crowns. 350 x 10 Bundles of 2-year-old asparagus crowns to cover about 1.3 Ha. Cognizant of the scarcity of supply, any of the following varieties will be proffered: UC157, Purchase Passion, Pacific Purple and Marry Washington.
19 Sep 23, Chris Veenstra (Australia - temperate climate)
Have been away and have come home and asparagus is already up, do I cut if and start again or just harvest what comes up?
20 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can cut all the shoots/fern off. Any that are just spears you can eat. Cut them off each day or two. Enjoy!!!!!
13 Jun 23, Janice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted a few asparagus plants in a small raised bed. The bed now looks very full. What do I do for over crowding?
01 Aug 23, Garlic Breath (Australia - temperate climate)
Try putting some in a seperate bed
16 Jun 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thin out weaker plants and provide adequate spacing between the remaining ones. You can also transplant or divide the crowns.
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?
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.
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?
Showing 11 - 20 of 557 comments

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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