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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
30 Apr 18, Phillip (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If possible purchase 2 yr. old "Crowns". These are asparagus plants (roots). There are a number ideas for how to plant them - just visit Youtube or Google for step-by-step pictures along with description of soil mixture and fertilization. Then wait another year before harvesting. Honestly I have never grown from seed. But in either case you are looking at a couple of years before you will have a decent crop.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Mar 18, Mack Rogan (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I get asparagus crowns to plant ?
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Oct 18, Marieta (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I bought my asparagus plante from Peter's Gate, Midlands Meander near Howick
Reply or Post a new comment
28 May 18, Paul Naude (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Any luck Mack?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Feb 18, Theunis (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can i get plant material
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Feb 18, Sheena (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
https://livingseeds.co.za/vegetable-seeds/asparagus
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Feb 18, Dizzy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
First time growing asparagus, I'm situated in Malawi, Lilongwe. I found this article infomative as I'd no idea the berries were poisonous, I actually thought they were seed pods as they haven't turned red yet ! Any advice on growing in this part of the world would be a great help, thank you.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Sep 17, Ross McLaren (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi there what is the best possible way to grow asparagus in KZN. Tunnel, with raised beds? What Fert do I need, how many times do I water them? Want to start a small bunch to see if it will work :)
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Mar 17, Tony Bartlett (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I grow asparagus down in the cape, near Hermanus. Also where down in that area can I purchase crowns. many thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Mar 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
Asparagus is a very hardy plant and you should have no difficulty growing it. Try googling 'Asparagus crowns in South Africa" and you will find a number of suppliers. Asparagus crowns are often available from nurseries, garden centres, hardware stores and online during the winter.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 of 101 comments
See comments for all plants

I have purple asparagus, about a 7 year old bed. I read to only harvest spears that are larger than a pencil, but if I do that the smaller ones turn into "bushes" and hide the larger spears. Is this the correct way to harvest and grow? Question 2: I read to only harvest them for a certain number of weeks and then when they start getting pencil thin, to stop harvesting. but this seems like such a short harvest season, and the plants still want to produce. It is as if my asparagus bed is bushy more than it is in the productive mode. Is this correct? Can I continue to harvest longer? Question 3: Can I plant the poisonous red balls and they will grow into new plants? I thought my old plants would reproduce, but my bed seems to be about the same annually. I just don't feel like a confident grower, and the sources I read don't seem to provide information specific enough for my needs. thank you

- Pam

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.