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 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

07 Apr 24, Gert van Wyk (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have a few asperagus plants in my garden, do I have to cut down the branches above the soil and when, for them to produce more.
11 May 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Cut them down in late winter and then eat the new shoots in the spring time.
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.
13 Feb 23, Gerrie Steenkamp (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy seeds and plants in SA
22 Sep 22, Atang Tlopo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to know if I can get two years old Asparagus crowns.
26 Sep 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Probably not - if so probably expensive. In Australia a 9 mth crown is about $10 - a 2 yr old probably $30 and you would need 3-6.
10 Nov 21, Edward Phahamane (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am a first time asparagus enthusiast... I would like your advise on planting asparagus on the rich loam soil on a plot on a river bank. What type of asparagus will be good to plant there? Do you make cross border sales because the plot is in Lesotho? Kind regards
17 Nov 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Use the internet to see where to buy in S A.
20 Jul 21, Larga Parker (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can buy seeds and crowns (depending on the season) from Livingseeds in Midvaal. They have a online website with plenty of organic heirloom seeds.
27 Jun 21, Valerie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have already planted mine last year they are growing so tall not sure what's gonna happen
Showing 1 - 10 of 99 comments

how often do you feed asparagus and how do they like the soil.

- lou

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