Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
T                   T T
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Asparagus in South Africa - Semi-arid regions)

  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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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16 May 19, Martha Brink (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi, I got Asparagus crowns from Hart Nursery in Ottery. I'm going to be planting them in Kalbaskraal. Hope that they will grow there, clay soil
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29 Aug 18, Victor Makumire (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I get Asparagus seeds in South Africa ?
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20 Sep 18, Parvesh (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I got mine from Livingseeds. You can order from their website.
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09 Aug 18, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy asparagus crowns. I live in Gauteng, Benoni.
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25 Apr 18, Jene (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Its my first time trying to grow asparagus as i love this vegetable and would like to know its sensitivity to wind and sun? I live in kzn
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16 Apr 18, Marie-louise Bissett (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I bought asparagus seeds, F2 UC172 I sowed the seeds in spring and have a lot of very fine feathery plants, they starting to make shoots that looks like spears, what do I do now? Will they mature, or do I have to cut the and spears and re plant them? I live on a farm in Grahamstown
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28 Apr 18, Phillip (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Leave the plants to grow & mature for another 2-3 years. You can trim back the ferns (to 5cm) either in the fall after they turn brown or at the beginning of spring.
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06 Mar 18, MOOKHOANE MAEMA (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to know how to grow asparagus, where to get the seedlings, when can I grow and at what temperature, lastly how long does it take to harvest and how? I live in Lesotho but the site could not list my country hence why South Africa since Lesotho is inside South Africa geographically like a kidney in a body. Thank you
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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.
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02 Mar 18, Mack Rogan (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I get asparagus crowns to plant ?
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True Female have berries, but some new female do not have berries. Male are thumb size, most female are little finger or #2 pencil size like Mary Reed.

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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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