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

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19 Jan 15, DDS (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get asparagus plants from a nursery in the Boland/Cape Town area?
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18 Feb 15, Martha Brink (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I just bought asparagus "Plugs" From Hart Nursery in Ottery. They are R2.00 per plug, which is so reasonable. Happy gardening. M
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12 Nov 14, dawn hudson (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Crowns for johannesburg area. Names of nurseries wHo sell. Have only got results of 5 seedlings from 3 packets of seeds. Also can water occasionally with salty water?
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30 Oct 14, JAYCEE (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
is the Ashton area in the Boland right to grow asparagus?
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28 Oct 14, gail gous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I would like to buy some asapargus plants in the Stilbaai Area, where can I find a nursery or is it possible to buy online? Regards Gail
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04 Oct 14, kathy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My plant is one year old. Growing well but lots of ferns. Should i cut them down and how far and cut all ferns down? Or just leave it. About half metre tall.
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05 Oct 14, Frans (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Kathy. Yes you should trim is to about 10 cm. The focus for the first 16 months should be root oriantated. Cutting it down will fors the roots to work and grow better as more nutrients are available for just that. Give a good dose of bone meal (beenmeel) after such a trimming. Hope you find this helpfull.
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01 Oct 14, aadila (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi i just bought asparagus plants from my nursery. they are about a meter high with about 3 or 4 ferns.the helpers there did not know how old the plants are. when do u suppose i can start harvesting? when do u suggest i start harvesting because i heard u should leave them for 2-3 years.
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02 Oct 14, Eric (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi where in Durban did you buy your plants i have been looking everywhere?
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25 Jul 14, boerbill (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
In the ceres karoo with annual rainfall fo 150mm p.a. pleanty osf salty water available any tips for me and also where can i get crowns.?
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Showing 71 - 80 of 101 comments
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Thanks John - Better to explain my position. I had planted out crowns last year (in a raised boxed garden bed) and had some berries fall on the crown and on the soil next to the crown. Also on the soil outside the box. This year in Sept the berries germinated. I transplanted the very small seedlings to the garden bed next to the boxed bed. This a red soil - can become very wet when we receive 2-3-6 inches of rain in a day. Also it is exposed to the sun, rain and wind. From the experience this year I know now I should have put them in pots and protected them a lot more. A few weeks ago I transplanted the smaller ones into pots and placed near a tree for some shade and protection. Today I transplanted them back to the garden and constructed a shade cloth cover for them to protect them from the sun. I have done this as we are going away for 7 days and my daughter will forget to water them and they will probably all die.

- Mike

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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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