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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31 Aug 13, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
I have bought 2 asparagus to plant this year and would like to know how big my plot needs to be. How much crop will 1 plant yield? Anne, Vic
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Anne, We are also in cool/mountain Victoria. Our plants are about 6 years old. We bought about a dozen plants. Two plants will not provide very much to eat. I suggest you buy some more plants this winter. Our asparagus bed is about 5 metres by 1 metre. The plants will produce berries in summer and these will produce seedlings but this is a slow process of multiplication.
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25 Aug 13, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Melbourne, Aust. (August) Bought asparaugus crowns at my local nursery this weekend. $5.99 each.
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25 Aug 13, Norm (Australia - temperate climate)
Will female asparagus plants produce quality spears? Is it possible to distinguish femaie and male crowns?
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23 Aug 13, Ingrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy Asparagus crowns in JHB?
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28 Jul 13, ronnie mynhardt (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
jes i would like to plant a few in my garden on a small holding close to zeerust in north west.Need a few seed --Thanks Ronnie
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26 Jul 13, Jessica (Australia - temperate climate)
Do asparagus do well if I was to start them as a seedling in a greenhouse?
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26 Aug 13, Norm (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes Jessica, asparagus grow well from seedling even when not in a greenhouse. It does take much longer to produce edible spears this way . Using crowns, at least 3 years old, would be quicker but more expensive.
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12 Jul 13, Amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
I am moving house and, having carefully nurtured my asparagus seedlings through to maturity, want to take my crowns with me. Any tips on digging up, transporting and replanting? Do I have to wait 2 years before harvesting again?
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05 Jul 13, Rupert (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted several crowns last season and let them grow into ferns. It is now July, and many of the ferns have not died down yet, but more questionable is the fact that several of the plants have sprouted new spears. Is this normal? Is it a sign of a mild winter? Should I just be letting these spears grow into ferns - they are a healthy size, big enough to harvest...
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Growing instruction in zone 9B, Ormond Beach, Florida.

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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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