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

08 Aug 22, Sheila (USA - Zone 6b climate)
One 6b - Bought crowns in late spring and they were misplaced.until now August. They are not dried out and I'd like to salvage whatever is possible. If I plant them now ANDif they grow, the season will be over and cold by October. Should I refrigerate the crowns and maybe wait til spring to plant or go ahead and put them out now? Also, would it be of benefit to use innoculant to stimulate them, individually pot them indoors under grow lights and gently transplant to an outside bed in spring? What makes sense?
14 Jun 22, Desert dwelling gardener wannabe (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What is the best variety of asparagus to grow in zone 9b?
17 Jun 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
No planting time for asparagus in your climate zone. Maybe wrong climate.
26 Oct 22, Martin McOmber (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I am learning to grow asparagus in Zone 9b. Plants are 2+ yrs old and starting to produce healthy spears. Would like suggestions on how best to grow them.
19 Apr 22, Dawn (USA - Zone 10a climate)
When you buy crowns does only one shoot grow from one crown? It looks like from pictures that there is more shoots coming up if your planting them 8 to 12 inches apart? Since we live in central coastal California is it best to go to a nursery in town for buying the two year old crowns?
21 Apr 22, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
The crown will produce many spears. As it grows it produces more and more over the years. Plant 2' apart. Buy 1 or 2 year crowns.
27 Jan 22, Lori (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I planted Asparagus last year. It has done very well and I fertilized,mulched when need to , or cut ferns when need. My question is, at the end of December, a few Asparagus began popping up, and tips purple. Is it ok for them to pop up that early?
28 Jan 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You generally cut ferns off end of Winter and pick new spears for 2-3 months in the Spring, then let the ferns grow again to feed the crown for the following year. If the weather is warm enough they will keep sending up new spears until end of Autumn. I just cut mine off for a quick feed over the last month of summer. Mine are 5-6 years old. I'm in Australia - sub tropical.
22 Dec 21, Vicki (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What are the best asparagus to grow in Zone 7b, Virginia by the Bay.
28 Dec 21, Elisabeth (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I have a patch of purple passion which are tons sweeter than asparagus and they are great producers! We also have a patch of tried and true Millennium. We planted 10 crowns of each about four years ago, and they are enough for our family of 4 with some to spare. I'd love to freeze some and I'm thinking about starting a second patch of about 20 crowns to have some for preserving. Also, remember that when you plant your crowns, you don't harvest from them for two years. Just let them go to fern. They are quite lovely in a herbaceous border with other perennials. These are a gift to your future self! :)
Showing 31 - 40 of 84 comments

When do you cut the plants back ? They do not die in my garden. I need to know when to cut them down. Thanks. Sarah

- Sarah Hardin

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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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