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

19 Mar 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Asparagus requires good friable free draining soil and full sun. Plant it out when it is 12-15
22 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
12-15 (?)
19 Oct 20, SUSIE (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
CAN ASPARAGUS BE PLANTED IN NORTHERN NSW
20 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There is an article here about growing it. Go to the blue climate zone tab at the top of page, work out your climate zone. Go to Asparagus - the Monthly calendar tells you when to plant.
29 Sep 20, Mai (Australia - temperate climate)
I've just purchased yesterday, 4 of the 2 yr crowns from Guilford Garden Centre in Perth. This is my first time growing asparagus so I'm very curious, have lots of questions to ask......Now one of them already has a pencil size spear, can i be greedy_cut that off and eat it? I've potted them in a 60cm deep big pot temporarily while I'm setting up a new raised bed for the asparagus, how tall should i have the raised bed? If i establish them well this year, can i be harvesting small amounts next year? Thanks guys!
20 Oct 20, Ingrid (Australia - temperate climate)
We purchased some 2year old crowns 4 years ago, it was so very tempting to cut some of the bigger spears. But our patience paid off. Now we are able to cut good sized spears every 2-3 days.
10 Oct 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Mai, Here is an article you might find useful. It has some info on when to harvest https://planyourpatch.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-grow-asparagus-from-seed/
01 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Here are my suggestions. 1 Pick a spot that has sun all day. 2 Dig a bed that is about 4' x 4' or 1.2m x 1.2m for 4 plants or 1.2m x 1.8m for 6 plants, 2.4m x 1.2m for 8 plants - I would recommend 6-8 plants, about 300mm deep. 3 Put a border (sleepers) around it, either 200mm or 400mm high (2 sleepers). Garden sleepers (hardwood) where I live are 2.4m long x 200mm high x 50mm thick ($20). Fill it up with soil/composted manure/compost and dig it over a couple of times. Buy some rooster booster fertiliser from bunnings and apply about a 2l ice cream container to the soil and mix in. Go on the internet and google how to plant and grow and harvest it. 1st year pick a few of the thicker spears, 2nd year a few more and then 3rd yr you can pick all. In future years a tip, stop or cut back watering end of April, cut all the ferns off end of August, apply a 2l container of rooster booster and 6
07 Oct 20, Mai (Australia - temperate climate)
wow info! Thanks a lot!
03 Sep 20, Michael Archer (Australia - temperate climate)
a bit hard to stop watering in Perth at this time I might knock it down at the end of summer and try to pick a few late spears then
Showing 61 - 70 of 338 comments

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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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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