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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26 Jan 15, bruce wheeler (Australia - temperate climate)
I PUT IN SOME ASPARAGUS SEED ABOUT END OF DEC THE FERNS ARE ABOUT 3IN HIGH CAN I PLANT THEM IN THE GARDEN OR SHOULD I LEAVE THEM TILL WINTER
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27 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Bought a punnet of purple asparagus "ferns" from Bunnings garden centre. About dozen ferns in punnet. Would appreciate some tips on how deep to plant and should I cover every few weeks with soil? Intending to grow in a raised bed measuring 90cm x 90cm x 40cm.
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02 Oct 14, Victor Jeva (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Can I grow cucumber In the same bed with asparagus? Many thanks for your feedback......
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30 Sep 14, ray johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted Some packaged root stock 6" deep in August. I now have a 2" spear showing through. For the first year should i just let them grow and the die back in winter? Should i move my leeks to another bed. I am planning on using this bed for more rhubarb and more asparagus if this first batch survives. regs ray
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31 Aug 14, lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can my friend in Melbourne buy some asparagus crowns? Thanks! Lisa
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06 Sep 14, stapo (Australia - temperate climate)
type "the plant shop" into your search engine i orderd their 4 three year old crowns and there was 7 in the parcel i had by the weekend
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28 May 14, KIM TAYLOR (Australia - temperate climate)
i have planned my asparagus and it is 3 years old i have the ferns i have pick 1 spear today for the first time i have never cut the ferns off am i suppose to i think i need some help please. I have a big veggie garden and want to grow more.
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31 May 14, Stewart (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Kim, you need to cut to old ferny growth every year once it starts to die off.
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21 May 14, Helen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I cut the ferny tops off my 2 year old crowns a few weeks ago and covered with lucerne hay. The weather has been so warm that they are sending up spears again. Should I cut these off or let them grow up to further feed the crowns. Am hoping for first good crop this spring.
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31 May 14, Stewart (Australia - temperate climate)
The weather sure is warm Helen. I'd be inclined to cut your spars off and have some late season asparagus. With winter just around the corner the spears are unlikely to develops any further.
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Showing 231 - 240 of 338 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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