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

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30 Jan 14, Chrystal (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in southern Tasmania and recently bought a couple of crowns, they have the delicate fern growth and I was wondering if I can separate (cut into sections) the crown before planting in the garden to have more plants.
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28 Nov 13, Adriana (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in Perth Western Australia and would like to buy some crowns.Bunnings does not have them and the Nurseries only has seedlings which will take some years to harvest!! Could you please advise
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17 Jan 15, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought crowns at Aldi for $6 for 2xpkt. Also saw and bought more at The Reject Shop about july/August 2014. Am looking out for them again this year. Always browse at the above for odd and interesting bulbs.
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10 May 14, Dulcetbrewer (Australia - temperate climate)
I haven't been able to find anyone selling crowns. Bunnings have seedlings at present -early May, but, like me, I think you will have to plant seeds or seedlings & wait it out.
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05 May 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Adriana, bulbsonline.com.au has them in WA when in season, great, big healthy crowns way cheaper and bigger and better looking than the others I looked at, I planted loads last year. Still need to wait for a harvest with crowns though not as long as seeds or seedlings.
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Adriana, Contact Tesselaars and/or Garden Express and ask to be put on their catalogue maailing list. Both usually sell crowns in winter by mail order.
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02 Jan 14, Rem (Australia - temperate climate)
Try Wandilla Nursery. They usually have 3 year old crowns available.
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17 Nov 13, Pauline Morgan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When do I stop harvesting and let the ferns grow to feed my plants? I started harvesting in early October. Thanks Pauline
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Pauline, it depends on how old your plants are. General rule is no harvest first two years, then take one or two the next year. After that I have been just playing it by ear. We are quite dry usually and when the spears slow I leave them alone. Sometimes if we get a big downpour the stems start again, you could take some more then.
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31 Aug 13, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
I have bought 2 asparagus to plant this year and would like to know how big my plot needs to be. How much crop will 1 plant yield? Anne, Vic
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Showing 251 - 260 of 338 comments
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In cooler climates asparagus normally yellows and dies back in the winter as you say. in the spring if the spears are left they will grow on to form the big ferny tops that we are familiar with. The plant uses these tops along with manure or compost to regenerate the roots in readiness for next springs crop. You could try bending these over so they are bruised and nearly broken off to force the plant into dormancy. If you cut them off the plant may just send up some more spindly spears.

- John

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