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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I have just noticed that I have spears on my asparagus. They have been in the ground for 2 years. My query is to do with the ferns that are still there from last year. The ferns did not die down and I read somewhere to leave the ferns and that they would die of their own accord.But they did not so I guess this was incorrect. So... do I now cut off all the ferns as the spears are now appearing or do I reduce the number of ferns? In future do I cut off all the ferns when the spears stop appearing or at a specific time frame? ( say Jan Feb? ). Thanks in advance for your assistance.

- Maryanne house

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