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

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05 Sep 09, ~Tully~ (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If we can grow asparagus in the middle of the NT desert (not an option in your drop-down menu!) anyone can, give it a go. Yum!
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21 Oct 09, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted asparagus crowns about 3 months ago, thought they were not going to grow at all. Over the past 2 weeks, we now have 3 spears the longest over 8inches high. It grows 1cm or so per day. Loving it, as have never grown this before. This is in the South Australia climate
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08 Nov 09, Peter (Australia - tropical climate)
Has Michelle 09/09 received any tips?
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15 Nov 09, patricia (Australia - tropical climate)
michelle - i hear from seeds it takes two years. Theres Maryann's hobby nursery in woodroffe that sells them from crown and says they go good. i hadnt heard of asparagus in darwin but will see how it goes.
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16 Jan 10, meg (Australia - tropical climate)
neighbour in babinda grows asparagus. bunnings cairns had crowns recently. i am having a go .
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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our asparagus did not go so well after four years - we found out too late that we had mainly female plants which don't get very fat, nor had we really manured the soil enough I think so probably a bit nutrient deficient as well. I gave in and bought some asparagus plants from Diggers this year - a variety called Fat Bastard (sorry but that is its name). Has anyone tried this variety and how did you find it?
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30 Jan 10, warren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Evelyn I haven't tried the fat bastard variety but I have Mary Washington in at present. Grew these plants from seed and it has taken 5 years for my first really good crop although I could have picked after 3 years I didn't and the wait has been worthwhile.. The secret is to use plenty of manure- I have found sheep and cow manure is great and I dig in a few bags in early winter so it rots down well before spring. Also plenty of water in summer so the crowns don't get dry.
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31 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks warren. I still have the old Mary Washingtons so may replant them into some really good compost and keep the manure up. Interesting that it took four years - may have to wait and see how they go with some TLC.
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28 Feb 10, Teresa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We planted our asparagus crown in an old tyre will this make a difference to how it grows?
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06 Apr 10, bec (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone grow asparagus around Toowoomba QLD area, I'd like to know where I can buy crowns, I know they grow asparagus down around Warwick? Will horse manure work.
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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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