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

23 Dec 16, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
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.
20 Nov 16, Susan britton (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, My friend planted old corms in my patch 3 years ago. The asparagus grows up very thick in the stem. She wants me to get a corm out when they all die back so she can grow this old variety. Can you advise me if that's ok and how to do it if it is. Thanks Sue
21 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Apsparagus roots are called 'crowns'. Wait until the Winter and carefully separate a crown with a garden fork. if the crown is large you could cut a piece off or split it in half with a knife or spade. you must ensure that the separated piece has a few buds and roots attached as well. Don't try and harvest any spears on your 'new' crown until the second year.
17 Nov 16, lynne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live east of Melbourne. I've grown asparagus for the past 4 or 5 years and now its mid November I have stopped harvesting but wonder if I could continue to harvest a little longer now its well established. Please advise
18 Nov 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Keep going Lynne but make sure you have some spears going to seed for next year, let 6 or so go and then take any that come up after that.
18 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Normally you stop harvesting asparagus spears to allow tops to grow to regenerate the crowns for next season. if your soil is well built up with manure you could probably sneak a few more but don't jeopardise next seaasons crop.
26 Oct 16, Tsotetsi Peter (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many times you aply pesticide before harvesting?
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
10 Oct 16, Elizabeth (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy fresh white asparugus
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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