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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24 Jun 20, Alice (Australia - temperate climate)
I have bought some asparagus crowns and grew them yesterday, should I take them out and leave them until August?
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25 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could take them out of the soil. If you leave in the soil don't water them much. They won't start sending up spears until August-Sept.
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21 Jun 20, Maggie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have just purchased some asparagus crowns and read that it is best to wait until at least August/ September to plant them. Should I keep the crowns moist in the meantime or let them dry out?
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22 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When you bought them they should have been dry, leave them the way they are. They are in a dormancy state over winter. A tip, don't buy things until it is time to plant.
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16 Jun 20, Deidre Girdler (Australia - temperate climate)
Have just purchased 4 crowns of asparagus They have very long roots Should I trim before planting?
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19 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Trim back to about 200mm long. Read up how to plant them and don't plant until August..
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19 May 20, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
I bedded my 4 year old crowns down for winter, ie, cut back fronds, fed, remulched - and now I have at least 2 new spears per head. Should I just let them go to frond and cut back in mid June ..... or can I harvest and eat them (preferred option of course .... but a healthy plant is a better one ). Thanks for any advice. Helen.
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21 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have only grown it for 4 years. During the summer/autumn asparagus grows ferns and puts nutrient and energy back into the crown to be able to produce new shoots next spring. In winter the ferns dry off etc. I don't hand water mine from May onwards. In late August I trim off the ferns and apply a mulch/compost and water. New shoots appear in a week or so depending how cold it is. I think you have jumped the gun by about 3 mths. Eat the spears and cut back the watering.
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23 Apr 20, Robert Graham Dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
asparagus crowns where to get/buy from reputable source recomodations please Mary WASHINGTON PREFFERRED
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24 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 3 beautiful plants growing now, ready to sell, 8 mths old, Bundaberg Qld lol. Try Bunnings or check with a local nursery if they get them in. Asparagus are normally planted late winter or early spring. If buying from Bunnings ask when will they have them in. Cost about $8-9 a crown. Asparagus die back in winter and start shooting in spring. Go on the internet and read up about growing them.
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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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