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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24 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm no expert - I have been growing them for 3 yrs. The new spears shoot in early Spring. So do not trim them now. I made the mistake of cutting them in late July last year and I had a very poor crop. My advise is to water them until the end of this month and then no watering. Let the plant die off. Then in late August cut the dead stalks off and put on the composted manure or just some good compost.
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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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08 Apr 18, Julie Fielder (Australia - temperate climate)
Where in Perth can I buy seedlings or plants to grow Asparagus please?
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09 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet, ask around at nurseries or Bunnings.
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10 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Crowns/plants don't usually become available until mid/late winter.
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27 Mar 18, Kath Gilchrist (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When do you cut off the ferns and how low do you cut them?
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13 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Late winter and at ground level or just below. Then cover them with about 4-6 cm mulch.
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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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Showing 301 - 310 of 584 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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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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