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 7b 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

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21 Dec 16, Pam Neasham (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy asparagus crowns.. My late husband grew such large crops we used to give them away. I have down-sized since his death leaving my plants behind and would now like to grow some again.
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24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
In Australia asparagus crowns are normally available from nurseries in the winter months as bare-rooted crowns. berry plants, rhubarb and fruit trees are available at the same time. It is not difficult to grow from seed, you will just have to wait another season before you can harvest the spears. Trust this helps.
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17 Dec 16, Mike Hattingh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can you please assist me with a list of suppliers from whom I can source asparagus crowns?
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24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
In Australia asparagus crowns are normally available from nurseries in winter. Thet are sold 'bare rooted, ssometimes loose and sometimes in damp sawdust. Other plants that are sold the saame way include - strawberries bramble berries, currants and fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, apricots and plums. You could also grow them from seed but would have to wait another seaaon before harvesting those delicious spers. Trust this helps.
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26 Oct 16, Tsotetsi Peter (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many times you aply pesticide before harvesting?
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17 Oct 16, Eugene J Martens (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can asparagus be planted on raised rows - once growing do the stems require mounding I have planted from seed & had a 65% germination rate - I live 20km from Nelspruit on the Lydenburg road about 120 meters in altitude higher
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10 Oct 16, Elizabeth (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy fresh white asparugus
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06 Oct 16, Margery Vosloo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where in or near Groblersdal can I buy asparagus plants ? It is quite hot here so do I plant them in the shade?
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09 Jun 16, Andrea Meintjes (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I purchase asparagus plants in the Pretoria area
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22 May 16, gail gous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to buy a few asparagus plants. Could you tell me where i can buy some. Regards Gail
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Showing 41 - 50 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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