Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Asparagus in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant crowns

August: frost tender

  • 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

28 Apr 20, robert Graham dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
thank you for reply very helpful
08 Apr 20, KArin Duthie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have asparagus seeds - when should I plant the seeds? What is the best orientation and spacing?
09 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Spring, 30-40 cm apart, full sun.
01 Apr 20, Barb (Australia - arid climate)
I do two picks of my patch one now (mid march) the other later in the year does any one else do this an how many weeks do they usually pick for my dad use to pick for 4/6 weeks but friend only picks 2 or so whos right lol thanks
02 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub tropical. My plants are 3 years old. I cut the old growth off late August, new spears shoot soon after. I pick for about 6 weeks - the ferns get away from me. This year in January I cut my ferns off and picked asparagus for about a month. The important part is to let the ferns grow and store food back into the crowns for next spring. If you over pick the spears or pick them too long it will not give the plant time to build the crown for next year.
20 Mar 20, Faye McPeak (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I divide asparagus plants and when do I do it. I live on The Central Coast of NSW Thank you all in advance.
22 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just read that you can divide into 1/4 or 1/2 but not to pick spears the first year after dividing. Do it in the early spring. Google about it and read.
30 Dec 19, Katharine Duke (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Gembrook Victoria. I have asparagus ferns about 3 inches tall, can I plant them now? Can I plant them near garlic? Thanks in advance.
31 Dec 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus needs a bed of their own as the crown will grow 18-24
28 Sep 19, Maryanne house (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just noticed that I have spears on my asparagus. They have been in the ground for 2 years. My query is to do with the ferns that are still there from last year. The ferns did not die down and I read somewhere to leave the ferns and that they would die of their own accord.But they did not so I guess this was incorrect. So... do I now cut off all the ferns as the spears are now appearing or do I reduce the number of ferns? In future do I cut off all the ferns when the spears stop appearing or at a specific time frame? ( say Jan Feb? ). Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Showing 91 - 100 of 338 comments

I got an asparagus plant last year at a local farmers market, I put it in the ground and just left it. Well this year I have my first lot of spears.. and they are yummo...asparagus require little maintenance and a whole heap of patience!!

- Teash

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.