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

07 Dec 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Eileen (and Alice). Leave the ferns until they die down in winter, then you can clear them away, or just flattern them before topping up the bed with rotted manure and/or compost.
05 Dec 08, Eileen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted my asparagus during the winter months, they now have ferny tops, what do I do with them now, I planted 2.
14 Nov 08, Alice (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted seedling asparagus 2 years ago and now have of a 120 cm. wall of ferny top grow. What do I do with it now? A friend suggested I should cut it all down level with ground and cover it with 10cm of stable manure. Does this sound sensible to the experts?
24 Oct 08, gareth (Australia - temperate climate)
i have planted asparagus 3 months ago and they havent sprouted is this normal or not coz on the packet it said ready to harvest in 8 weeks
08 Sep 08, marcus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how much water does growing asparagus need, and how often should they be watered?
06 Sep 08, gareth (Australia - temperate climate)
u can buy them at any good hardware or gardening store u ussally dont buy the seed but the dead crown
13 Aug 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Andrew, you could try Kings Seeds www.kingsseeds.co.nz/ (for seeds) or any good garden shop for asparagus crowns.
11 Aug 08, Tash (Australia - temperate climate)
Andrew I have just recieved my asparagus crowns ordered from www.ausgardener.com.au, i'm sure they will ship to NZ. They are 2yr old crowns.
03 Jun 18, David Ellis (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy some advanced crowns in the Sunshine Coast Qld
10 Aug 08, Andrew (New Zealand - temperate climate)
how and where do i get a packets of asparagus seed or seedlings
Showing 571 - 580 of 585 comments

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.

- Mike

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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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