Growing Asparagus

Aspargus officianalis : Asparagaceae / the asparagus family

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

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

  • P = Plant crowns
  • 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

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23 Feb 16, Sav (Australia - temperate climate)
Bought a punnet of Asparagus ferns a year ago and transplanted them in the ground but did not space them enough. They are still a few inches tall. When is the best time time to dig them out to re-plant? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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01 Mar 16, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Live in Sydney, like you bought a punnet and transfered to a larger pot for few months. Transfered them in mid autumn with lots of manure. They have been madly throwing ferns, once ferns die down, will re=manure and top dress with cow poo dressing as well. Hope this helps.
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26 Nov 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I have 2 year old crowns of asparagus which were planted in late August, my question is how long is the harvest season in the Berkley Vale area. And how do you know when the last spears arrive. As I need them as a fern. I would hate to cut them off. I am new at this I need advise. We have 30 crowns.
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08 Nov 15, noni (Australia - temperate climate)
when growing white asparagus, how are the beds watered and when. When finished are the plastic covers removed to allow the plants to recouparate and then re covered when ready to pick once more.
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28 Oct 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have lots of fern and no asparagus after a couple of years. Is there a chance it's the wrong sex? How do I tell if I will get fruit here in a sub-tropical garden?
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15 Jul 16, jane (Australia - temperate climate)
the fern IS the asparagus - you just have to harvest it when it's a small, young shoot, before the fern bit develops. But unless you planted mature crowns, best not to harvest for first 2-3 years; let ferns grow to allow a solid, healthy root system to develop first. NB do NOT eat the red berries (which will only appear on female plants) - they are poisonous. Both male and female produce shoots, but some believe the male plants last a bit longer and produce more. As both last 15-20 years, it's not something I'd worry about.
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18 Oct 15, gwyneth (Australia - temperate climate)
my asparagus has been in for 3 years. this year I am getting plenty but they are pencil thin. should I feed them.
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24 Oct 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, add manure to the bed when the weather warms up at the beginning of spring each year.
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02 Aug 15, John butler (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy commercial quantity of seed in west Australia please
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17 Mar 15, Pauline leister (Australia - temperate climate)
I have to leave my rental place, but my asparagus are still in full, green fern. Can I dig them up to take with me?. I don't want to leave them, nor do I want to kill them by digging them up. I only have a week before leaving. Please help. Thankyou.
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Showing 221 - 230 of 338 comments
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I'm no expert - I have been growing them for 3 yrs. The new spears shoot in early Spring. So do not trim them now. I made the mistake of cutting them in late July last year and I had a very poor crop. My advise is to water them until the end of this month and then no watering. Let the plant die off. Then in late August cut the dead stalks off and put on the composted manure or just some good compost.

- Mike

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