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 USA - Zone 7a 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

Your comments and tips

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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.
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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
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29 Jun 21, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google how to grow it. Late winter you need to cut it off at ground level. Put compost 4-6 cm.
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29 Feb 20, Melchior Henn (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy asparagus heads. I live in Heidelberg Western Cape. Nearest possible supplier please.
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02 Mar 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The asparagus head is the shoot that comes out of the soil in spring time. You eat that part. To plant asparagus you need seeds or better you buy asparagus crowns (a bulb) usually about 6-9mtns old. Ask at your nursery or big gardening stores when will they have them in. You usually plant them in the early spring.
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26 Aug 19, Steve chatha (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to buy asparagus dried roots. Im staying in Hermanus-Overbeg capetown
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20 Feb 19, Elize Mans (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Ek soek inligting hoe om Aspersies te plant.Waar kry n mens die plantjies te koop.In watter klimaat kan die aspersies geplant word.En hoe word dit ge oes.Kry n mens boeke wat jy kan koop.En ek soek ook inligting hoe om Mushrooms tuis te kweek.Die maklikste manier . I'm looking for information on how to plant asparagus. Where to buy these plants. In what climate can the asparagus be planted. And how is it harvested? Get books that you can buy. Growing mushrooms at home. The easiest way.
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01 Feb 19, Eric van der linde (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy 2 year old asparagus crowns. l live in Meyerton area.
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23 Jun 19, Pam (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
You can buy online at Hadeco. They have stock at the moment but sell out quickly as they only ship for a couple of months each year.
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12 Nov 18, Vanessa (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
wherein south Africa can a person buy the crowns? I live in Cape Town, I have some growing from seed and they are doing really well but I don't feel like starting again and waiting for another 2-3 years. thanks
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Showing 11 - 20 of 101 comments
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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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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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