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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20 Jul 18, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
Our asparagus spears are shooting out already in Gisborne is it normal this time of the year? Tony
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23 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you water them they will shoot in winter. Mine did last year and I didn't have many spears in Spring. I stopped watering the end of April this year. Cut the old dying ferns off about two weeks ago. Will put horse manure and compost on them mid August and start watering start of Sept.
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05 Jun 18, Sharon Tomlinson (Australia - temperate climate)
I have asparagus roots that I have stored in sand for about 5 years. Do you think they would grow or do you think they would be dead?
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07 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My guess is they are dead. Plant them in Sept and see what happens. If they didn't grow and die off each year then what has sustained them all this time.
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04 Jun 18, Mark Hussey (Australia - arid climate)
Mindful that its a little early to cut back asparagus shoots, but when you do ,keep in mind that they are useful in getting rid of nematodes if you dig them through effected areas
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04 May 18, (Australia - temperate climate)
wouldnt it be dangerous to grow asparagus in your garden with young children likely to eat the berries?
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07 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As an adult you could tell them NOT TO EAT THEM.
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01 May 18, Cheryl (Australia - temperate climate)
I am wanting to relocate some Asparagus plants when is the best time please
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04 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I want to relocate 3 of mine. I have read they don't like it and you might miss a season's crop. Also if a few years old they may be quite large as in 450-700mm deep. Best time would be in mid winter probably.
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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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Showing 291 - 300 of 585 comments
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the fern IS the asparagus - you just have to harvest it when it's a small, young shoot, before the fern bit develops. But unless you planted mature crowns, best not to harvest for first 2-3 years; let ferns grow to allow a solid, healthy root system to develop first. NB do NOT eat the red berries (which will only appear on female plants) - they are poisonous. Both male and female produce shoots, but some believe the male plants last a bit longer and produce more. As both last 15-20 years, it's not something I'd worry about.

- jane

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