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 Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns

August: frost tender

  • 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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06 Feb 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes. Detangle the roots and plant separately.
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04 Nov 22, Joann Reifel (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
We actually live in Sierra Leone. We have had our plants for several years. We keep watering them through dry season (Mid Nov-April) so they won't die. Will they die if left alone or just hibernate? Also, should we trim fronds off at all or bend them over to reseed (they have multiplied on their own fairly well). And when should we add compost?
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10 Nov 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I cut my ferns off late winter (August), apply compost and fertilise and water well. I pick all spears until the end of Oct (2 mths) then I let the ferns grow. I water each week. I do another picking in Feb for 3-4 weeks. Then I let grow again. I water until end of Autumn. Then let the ferns die back. Cut off end of winter. I cut my ferns off water really well. apply 100-150mm of compost and fertilise and water well. Spears usually start shooting straight away (early Sept). I live Sub-tropical Australia.
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27 Oct 22, DIEDRE BRAY (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, should asparagus be staked. Every time my asparagus matures the stems always blow over.
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30 Oct 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a patch about 1.5m x 1m and I put a few stakes around the edges with 2-3 ropes up the stakes to keep them tidy.
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27 Aug 22, LYNETTE J HOULIHAN (Australia - tropical climate)
I bought and planted 4 (2 green, 2 purple) Bunnings asparagus seedlings in a very large trough/planter. I have very healthy looking plants (look like dill) about 45 cms high. Do I Just leave these or is there something I should do. Thanks.
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02 Sep 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just water and fertilise them. Will take 3 years before you start to produce a reasonable crop. Read up about growing them.
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02 Sep 22, Veronica (Australia - temperate climate)
Leave them to grow. You can stake them if you prefer. Once they die off, trim off the dead bits. Definitely mark where they are, as they will probably disappear. Do not harvest for at least 2 years.
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07 Sep 22, LYNETTE J HOULIHAN (Australia - arid climate)
Thanks.
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25 Jul 22, Maura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you. I will wait until spring next year, even if fronds are browning. I have picked and eaten the emerging early spears. And I have covered the plot with heavy shade mesh on a frame, to avert any frost damage. This is the first time in 5 years that the spears have come up in July!
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Showing 11 - 20 of 331 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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