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 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
  • Asparagus growing
  • Baby Asparagus Seedlings (approx 6cm/3in) ((c) Liz Hutchinson)

Plant crowns (roots) 20 - 40 cm apart and a few cm (1 inch) deep in well manured soil. The asparagus shoots grow in spring. Harvest the shoots which are bigger than 1 - 2 cm/half-inch in diameter. Leave the rest to grow into the leafy ferns (1.5 m/5 - 6 ft tall) which will feed the crowns to give a crop next year. In autumn the ferns will be covered in bright red poisonous berries.

Leave the ferns to die down in autumn, then trim off the dead stalks and pile on plenty of rotted manure/compost to give the roots plenty of food to produce new stems in spring.

Harvest by cutting off the stalk, close to the ground. From the third year you can get an additional crop by letting the first lot of ferns grow, then bending down the stalks to break them. A second crop of shoots will grow and can be harvested. Leave subsequent shoots to grow on to ferns. Asparagus does not like continuously wet and warm soil. It grows better where there is a cool or frosty season.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Asparagus

Steaming is traditional, then coating with melted butter or hollandaise sauce.
Alternatively break in short lengths, and cook quickly in hot oil in a wok and sprinkle with soy sauce or balsamic vinegar.

NOTE: The asparagus berries are poisonous. Only the young shoots are edible.

Your comments and tips

18 Oct 24, Pam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How many seasons can I get from my asparagus plant
28 Oct 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
20-30 years - plant 4-8 crowns
15 Aug 24, Colin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Planted Mary Washington 6yrs ago (from Bunnings). Is a female plant. Producing thin stalks. Where in Australia can I buy a male asparagus plant. As far as I know, males are used for commercial crops. So far, even nurserymen can't help. Anyone?
03 Sep 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bunnings sell asparagus this time of the year. I'm no expert but I don't think you can tell until the have grown for a year or so.
25 Aug 24, MIke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try Bunnings - they usually sell this time of the year. Buy 3-6 crowns. One plant won't supply enough spears.
02 Aug 24, Janette Dunn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What is the best variety to grow in Katherine, NT? I have never grown asparagus before.
06 Aug 24, (Australia - tropical climate)
Whatever you can buy - green or purple.
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?
Showing 1 - 10 of 338 comments

We have just moved to a little old (ish) cottage in Maldon Victoria and to my delight have just discovered asparagus growing in the back yard. It is not in a "garden bed" as such, but obiously once was. Grass has grown as lawn all around it and spears are popping up left right and centre. How do I encourage and look after it at this late stage (mid October)?

- Samantha

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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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