Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

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

(Best months for growing Asparagus in Australia - 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

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.
03 Jan 23, david (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to split crowns and replant?
05 Jan 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In the winter while they are dormant.
02 Jan 23, John d braby (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've bought purple asparagus in a pot. There are 6 woody stems in the pot. Should I try to disentangle the root systems and plant each stem separately ?
06 Feb 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes. Detangle the roots and plant separately.
04 Nov 22, Joann Reifel (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
We actually live in Sierra Leone. We have had our plants for several years. We keep watering them through dry season (Mid Nov-April) so they won't die. Will they die if left alone or just hibernate? Also, should we trim fronds off at all or bend them over to reseed (they have multiplied on their own fairly well). And when should we add compost?
10 Nov 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I cut my ferns off late winter (August), apply compost and fertilise and water well. I pick all spears until the end of Oct (2 mths) then I let the ferns grow. I water each week. I do another picking in Feb for 3-4 weeks. Then I let grow again. I water until end of Autumn. Then let the ferns die back. Cut off end of winter. I cut my ferns off water really well. apply 100-150mm of compost and fertilise and water well. Spears usually start shooting straight away (early Sept). I live Sub-tropical Australia.
27 Oct 22, DIEDRE BRAY (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, should asparagus be staked. Every time my asparagus matures the stems always blow over.
30 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a patch about 1.5m x 1m and I put a few stakes around the edges with 2-3 ropes up the stakes to keep them tidy.
Showing 11 - 20 of 336 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Asparagus

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.