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

23 Dec 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google what varieties you have in the USA and try one or ask at a nursery.
08 Dec 21, KrC (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Hello. I planted a bed of asparagus last year and they grew beautifully. I did not harvest any stalks and the bed is full of ferns. I live in Los Angeles, where the weather has stayed quite temperate, even though it is now December, The ferns are still green. I'm concerned they may not die back fully in our climate. Can I cut the ferns down before they brown without harming the plant?
11 Dec 21, (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I stop watering in mid Autumn and cut my ferns off end of Winter. This gives them time to die off. The first year I watered and fertilised through winter.
24 Nov 21, pete Basabe (USA - Zone 12b climate)
Hi, Something is eating my asparagus below the soil line. The new shoots are being hallowed out like small caverns below the soil line. This quickly weakens the shoot and then it dries up and dies. The only insects I can find are small (1/4 in) round black beetle like insects that live in the dirt around the new stalks. The full grown stalks do not seem to be affected by these little guys. Any ideas? Thanks, Pete
18 Mar 22, Nancy Spencer (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Sorry you're having this problem Pete. Here in Florida, we have something called pocket gophers. They burrow underground, leaving occasional piles of dirt at the surface. They feed off of the roots of vegetables. I am berrying fencing all around the perimeter, 1 foot deep, to prevent them getting in to my asparagus. It should stop the bunnies too! Don't know if this help but I wish you luck in solving this.
07 Nov 21, Pam (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I have purple asparagus, about a 7 year old bed. I read to only harvest spears that are larger than a pencil, but if I do that the smaller ones turn into "bushes" and hide the larger spears. Is this the correct way to harvest and grow? Question 2: I read to only harvest them for a certain number of weeks and then when they start getting pencil thin, to stop harvesting. but this seems like such a short harvest season, and the plants still want to produce. It is as if my asparagus bed is bushy more than it is in the productive mode. Is this correct? Can I continue to harvest longer? Question 3: Can I plant the poisonous red balls and they will grow into new plants? I thought my old plants would reproduce, but my bed seems to be about the same annually. I just don't feel like a confident grower, and the sources I read don't seem to provide information specific enough for my needs. thank you
18 Feb 22, Vee (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What varieties can I grow in zone 10a? Jupiter, Florida
10 Nov 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Asparagus needs two things.1. It needs some ferns left at the end of growing season to feed and build the nutrient storage in the crown for the next season. 2. They also need fertiliser in the growing season. Here is what I do. I cut the ferns off end of winter, give a good watering, a good fertilising, then 6
14 Nov 20, cheri (USA - Zone 7b climate)
How much sun do asparagus plants need? I live in zone 7.
16 Nov 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can handle full sun but will grow in situation where sun in morning and shade in arvo. Google and read up about it.
Showing 41 - 50 of 84 comments

Evelyn I haven't tried the fat bastard variety but I have Mary Washington in at present. Grew these plants from seed and it has taken 5 years for my first really good crop although I could have picked after 3 years I didn't and the wait has been worthwhile.. The secret is to use plenty of manure- I have found sheep and cow manure is great and I dig in a few bags in early winter so it rots down well before spring. Also plenty of water in summer so the crowns don't get dry.

- warren

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.