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 - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant crowns
  • 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

12 Jul 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pays to read the notes here. It does say they like cold and frosty weather. Don't cut fronds until end of August.
18 Jul 22, Maura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. I cut down the ferns because they were browning. Thought it was correct. That asparagus like cold and frosty weather, do the early emerging spears not get burnt by frost at -3C?
19 Jul 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i live sub tropical. A natural tendency to cut some thing is for it to grow, so don't cut until Spring. I have some spears shooting throughout the year, even now. You cut the new spears off when they are 200-250mm long and eat them. What -3C does I don't know but you should know by now.
14 Jun 22, Desert dwelling gardener wannabe (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What is the best variety of asparagus to grow in zone 9b?
17 Jun 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
No planting time for asparagus in your climate zone. Maybe wrong climate.
26 Oct 22, Martin McOmber (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I am learning to grow asparagus in Zone 9b. Plants are 2+ yrs old and starting to produce healthy spears. Would like suggestions on how best to grow them.
05 Jun 22, Norelle Evans (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello, I’m from QLD Townsville and enquiring where I can source good green stock Asparagus from? and approx costing. Thanking you for your time and help Regards, Norelle Evans
15 Jun 22, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
The Seed Collection have them at a very reasonable price.
06 Jun 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
If you have a Bunnings store contact them about when they might have them and cost. Usually August and about $10+ per crown. Or try internet seed selling companies.
03 Jun 22, Mary Grace Dizon (Australia - tropical climate)
What is the best seed variety for tropical climate that’s hardy and disease tolerant?
Showing 61 - 70 of 564 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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