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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19 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I stop watering at the end of April and just leave it. I cut back the end of August and apply fertiliser then water and 4-6 (??)
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21 Feb 22, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello my plant is about 4yrs old was getting skinny shoots until I put dried chicken manure from my chooks on and within weeks I started getting thicker shoots the size of an index finger, I'm in Alice Springs where we get minus 5 temps in winter when is the best time to prune as I've never pruned it before. Thank you looking forward to hearing from you.
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08 Mar 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Asparagus is a 'gross feeder' meaning that it likes rich soil with plenty of nitrogen. That is why the poultry manure gave them a burst. Harvest the spears from Spring into Summer, then let the spears grow into 'ferny' heads. Keep the water and nutrients up, use a good mulch to retain water, then cut the heads off at ground level when they turn yellow in late autum. Leaving the ferny heads on helps the plant to regenerate. You should have a good crop next season. Asparagus is quite cold hardy. Trust this helps
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19 Oct 21, Kimberley (Australia - temperate climate)
My first attempts at growing asparagus were from seedlings. Very slow growth and few spears. Then I put in Mary Washington crowns 2yrs old. The first year I harvested a handful of spears. This is the second year- I’ve had continuous harvest since a early spring. As suggested, I’ve let a few ferns grow so that the crowns can develop and will increase my feeding so I get more spears next year. I have boy and girl crowns. Do you recommend an all purpose fertiliser at this time ?
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20 Oct 21, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus takes about 4 years to be in good production. I assume when buying crowns they are 12 mths old (probably less). This is what I do sub tropical - mid August I cut the old ferns off, give the patch a good watering, then apply a generous amount of NPK of about 12-4-14, give a watering and then put 6 (??)
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03 Sep 21, Peter Wise (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please tell me how to look after asparagus after growing it from seed since November 2020. How and when to fertilise. Live in melbourne thanks in advance
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12 Sep 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
And from seed
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07 Sep 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You generally plant the crowns/plants now early spring. Grow in full sun. Dig a hole 2-3 times the size of the pot they are in now, mix a little fertilise in the soil in the bottom of the hole, plant the asparagus and water well. If it is still coldish in Melbourne wait until next month. Water 2-3 times a week depending on how hot/cold it is and whether your soil is light or heavy. Mix some compost or manures into your soil if heavy. In the future - cut the ferns off in late winter, give a good watering, then give a good fertilising and put about 4-6
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22 Aug 21, Kathleen Clarke (Australia - temperate climate)
My asparagus plants are at least 6 years old I get a lot of skinny spears I think they are female spears How do I encourage thicker spears?
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29 Aug 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do you use any fertiliser?
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Showing 41 - 50 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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