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 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 40 cm 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

06 Jan 13, gideon hugo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am a keen garderdener for a hobby. We live in Vereeniging and need to find out where to by asparagus roots
16 Dec 12, Eion Purdon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have quite a high content of clay in my soil, even though I add a bit of Lime,and drainage 150mm under the clay and compost mixed, Will the asparagus enjoy this type of Soil? Also how can one determine the ph of ones soil?
23 Nov 12, Delia (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm still confused about planting out: I've dug the trenches and planted the seedlings ( each having a feathery top and miniature spears) but do I now mound the well composted soil over the top of same or do I wait until they have grown some? If the latter, for how long? I'm not trying for the blanched (or white asparagus) .. just the green. Many thanks!
02 Dec 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Delia, I am a first time grower of A, have bought crowns this year, and seedling last year. And also planted seeds this year too. I guess you would treat it like any seedling, cover the roots up towhere the green freathery top starts, and leave any mini spears out in the air too. I read that one should not harvest any spears for at least a year from crowns or 2 years from seeds, so let any spars that you may have go and change into the fern this year. I believe it has something to do with strength going into the crown for next year, then you can cut some but not all..... good luck, I think A is something of a future investment, for patient people..... Jen Tasmania
07 Dec 12, Delia (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Jen: your suggestions are most welcome and these suggestions are exactly what I did. I have a half dozen tiny spears popping through and, while not wishing my life away, I can barely wait the two years required. I also understand that a lightly wooded Chardonnay is the perfect wine match with asparagus. Thanks for sharing, Delia
03 Mar 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Delia, sorry not to have responded sooner, forgot to check.... looks like we both are looking forward to our first home grown crop of Asparagus next year and your suggestion about the wooded Chardonnay is also a very good tip. Happy gardening now that it may get a little cooler, at least here in Tasmania. Jen
21 Nov 12, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there, I have purchased and planted out 5 A crowns, but only 4 have produced A shoots, one has not produced anything? Any ideas? Jen
30 Oct 12, Jannes Fritze (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can i buy Asparagus crowns from?.
22 Dec 12, JJ van Rensburg (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Jannes Most nurseries can order Asparagus plants in for you. Where in South Africa are you - maybe we can be of assistance at Garden World in Muldersdrift.
22 Oct 12, Suzannah (Australia - temperate climate)
Should I cut off the tough ferny growth which is coming up now along with thick spears, or dig up those plants? Will they ever have good spears?
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