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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23 Feb 16, dave gasche (USA - Zone 5b climate)
betty, I THINK THIS IS A COMMON VARIETY. IT IS COMMONLY SOLD IN WICHITA KS AT WAL-MART,K MART HOME DEPOT LOWES. THEY HAVE BOTH SEED AND CROWNS--I THINK THE CROWNS COST ABOUT $4 FOR A BAG OF 8. SEEDS ARE MUCH CHEAPER BUT WILL REQUIRE AN EXTRA YEAR.
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06 Feb 16, douglas khazamula (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I stay in soweto,so;i would like to kwow if i can grpw asparagus and where i may find it
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01 Feb 16, Betty (Canada - Zone 2b Sub-Arctic climate)
Where can I purchase seeds or crowns for Martha Washington asparagus?
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26 Dec 15, Simon Chauke (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am living at Tzaneen and I would like to know if is the place to start growing asparagus for commercial us. Can asparagus be grown in tunnel. Where can I get seeds for asparagus
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26 Nov 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I have 2 year old crowns of asparagus which were planted in late August, my question is how long is the harvest season in the Berkley Vale area. And how do you know when the last spears arrive. As I need them as a fern. I would hate to cut them off. I am new at this I need advise. We have 30 crowns.
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09 Nov 15, Janeen Russell (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
For all heirloom seeds, including asparagus, contact Livingseeds Search "How to grow asparagus" . I have 12 little plants and a deep tube for them but not sure what soil to use.
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08 Nov 15, Roz (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to buy 'baby' asparagus plants. I live between Durban and Pietermaritzburg but I'm sure I could arrange with a courier to bring to me from anywhere in SA. Thanks.
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08 Nov 15, noni (Australia - temperate climate)
when growing white asparagus, how are the beds watered and when. When finished are the plastic covers removed to allow the plants to recouparate and then re covered when ready to pick once more.
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28 Oct 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have lots of fern and no asparagus after a couple of years. Is there a chance it's the wrong sex? How do I tell if I will get fruit here in a sub-tropical garden?
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15 Jul 16, jane (Australia - temperate climate)
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.
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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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