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    If grasses or other perennial weeds get established in an asparagus bed it is almost impossible to reclaim the planting. Asparagus can be grown from seed, but it is easier to plant one-year-old dormant plants, known as crowns, in March. Because it can grow very tall, many gardeners plant it on the north or west side of the garden where it will not shade other vegetables. Get inspired by Robin Sweetser’s backyard gardening tips and tricks. Choose a sunny, well-drained site on the edge of your garden where it will not be disturbed by the activity of planting and re-planting other areas. Can it be done? They will tolerate partial shade, but the more sun, the better. They will grow 4' to 6' feet high, with lacy, light-green foliage. Can I grow asparagus in a pot? Germination may take 14 to 21 days or more. The top of the crown should be approximately 6\" below the soil surface. Gently firm the soil and keep it evenly moist while the seeds germinate. You can either snap off the spears or cut them with a knife, just above the soil line. It’s possible, but not necessarily recommended. Newer hybrid varieties are bred to produce only male plants that don't produce seeds, so they need a little less space, as they'll spread only through the growth of the existing crown. The optimum pH range for growing asparagus is between 6.5 to 7.0. They look like a worn out string mop, but they are very much alive. Asparagus plants grow best in full sun. Growing asparagus in a well-fenced garden or in an area with less pest pressure is key. Then plant your plants and as the summer goes on and the asparagus starts to grow you fill in the trench and by the end of summer the trench is filled in … To plant asparagus crowns, dig trenches 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep (8 inches in sandy soil) down the center of the prepared bed. A single seed packet, on the other hand, costs about $3 for a pack of 50 to 100 seeds. Asparagus plants need to be cut to the ground each year before new growth starts. Asparagus seed can also be direct sowed when the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F. Plant seeds 3/4 to one inch deep. After you've been harvesting for more than a month and the weather starts to warm, the shoots will begin to get spindly. To keep your asparagus bed productive, don't be greedy. Cover with about 2 inches of soil. Consider adding drip irrigation or a soaker hose to the asparagus bed. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is one of the earliest harvested vegetables each spring. Growing asparagus from seed may take longer than other cultivation methods but it is a pleasingly rewarding process. If you do grow them that way then after planting leave for about two or three years for a strong root system to develop. If you prefer, you can grow asparagus in a raised bed. To keep the soil rich and help feed the asparagus plants, top dress the soil annually with compost. Separate the crow… The asparagus spears are straight young shoots of the plant, with scale-like tips. Thanks to plant breeders at Rutgers University in New Jersey and elsewhere, today's improved varieties of asparagus are less work to plant (6" to 12" deep is adequate) and produce almost twice as many spears per plant. In a standard raised bed (1.2m or 4ft wide), you’ll want to dig a trench down the centre of the bed. But to make sure you have sufficient asparagus, we recommend buying the ‘two-year’ marked crowns. It also offers you a greater variety of choice. Asparagus takes a few seasons to mature but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 years, so choose a planting location that will go undisturbed for a long time. By using The Spruce, you accept our, 6 Best Vegetables to Plant in Early Spring, How to Grow Spinach in Your Home Vegetable Garden, When and How to Harvest Garden Vegetables. The optimum pH range for growing asparagus is between 6.5 to 7.0. Unlike true ferns which grow from stolons (runners), asparagus ferns grow from underground tubers. Its "fronds" are actually long stems with needle-like leaves. The first year after planting, you can harvest a few spears from each plant. How to Plant Asparagus Plant crowns deeply to protect them from the cultivation needed for annual weed control. You can start harvesting when the plants are 2 to 3 years old. Perennial weeds, such as quackgrass, should be eliminated before planting. When established, an asparagus crown – the base o After the asparagus beds are tilled, mark rows 5 feet apart. You can do this in late winter or fall. Keep watch for them as the spears emerge in spring. Plant the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch somewhere down in a sterile seed blend. Seedlings can emerge in 10 to 14 days when the soil temperature is 75 degrees F. Thin seedlings after they grow their first set of true leaves. However, some gardeners like to leave the foliage for winter interest. Sow asparagus seeds inside eight to 12 weeks before transplanting outside after the danger of ice has passed. Choose a variety of asparagus suited to your growing zone. Plants can be started from seed about four weeks before the last expected frost. Then feed again with balanced fertilizer or compost after you harvest. It is not a true fern. One-year-old crowns are less susceptible to transplant shock. If so, how do you grow asparagus from seed and what other information on asparagus seed propagation might be helpful? Alternatively, asparagus patches do great in raised beds. Another way to grow them is by using the Asparagus crown, with its long, fleshy roots. For healthy, well-established asparagus plants, patience is key. Be sure to … How to Plant Asparagus Best results come from planting one-year old crowns. Sow asparagus seeds inside eight to 12 weeks before transplanting outside after the danger of ice has passed. To grow a lasting crop of healthy asparagus, it all starts with picking a good location, and preparing the soil correctly. Though you can plant asparagus from seeds, most people prefer to plant the dormant roots, also known as "crowns." You most certainly CAN grow asparagus in a pot. Plant asparagus 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 cm) deep and keep it well watered and fertilized. So forget about Martha Washington and the old asparagus varieties. Start with one or two-year-old plants (starting with two-year-old plants is usually more expensive and you can run a higher risk of transplant shock), buy your crowns from a reputable nursery, and try to plant … To plant asparagus from seeds, start by sowing single seeds in small indoor pots in the early spring. The reason for this is that growing asparagus requires patience. Soak it in tepid water for two to three hours before you’re ready to plant. Maybe you don't have enough space in your garden anymore, or maybe you live in an apartment - whatever the … So plan accordingly. The most common way to plant asparagus crowns is in a trench. If digging more than one trench, space the trenches at least 3 feet apart. Crowns are sold at garden centers in late winter and spring and online by seed companies. Asparagus is a heavy feeder, and you should also give it a dose of fertilizer in mid-spring when it is actively growing. Add mulch to the asparagus bed to control weeds. Growing from crown Prepare the soil by adding in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. No grasses, no weeds. Asparagus is a perennial crop that can be expected to produce for 10 years or more, so it is particularly important to take the time to find a suitable site, and prepare it carefully. Buying a good quality set of asparagus plants with good roots will produce brilliant vibrant and tasty asparagus stalks. Because asparagus is a perennial, you'll need to pick an out-of-the-way spot in the vegetable garden without competing plants. How To Grow Asparagus Preparing The Planting Space. Cover the crown with soil, and water well. For climates that don't have deep winter freezes, UC 157 is a good choice. Fusarium wilt can be a problem with older varieties, but you can avoid it by planting resistant hybrid varieties. When the seedlings reach 1 foot tall, move them to an outdoor nursery bed and plant them in 3 inch deep holes. Soak the crowns in compost tea … Removing the dead foliage in the fall offers the advantage of preventing problems, like asparagus beetles, from over-wintering in them. Can You Grow Asparagus from Seeds? Otherwise, diluted Neem oil should keep them under control. Once the harvesting season has ended, which will be in late spring/early summer, allow the spears to develop naturally. It’s a perennial, which means it grows back every year without replanting. Asparagus is one of the best vegetables you can grow at home because it's so super healthy, extremely versatile, and fairly simple to grow too! You may see slow growth with temperatures above 85 or below 55 degrees. Look out for asparagus beetle from late spring onwards. Plant asparagus crowns in a trench 10 to 14 inches deep. About This Blog. For the first couple years, weed often and carefully — asparagus roots are near the surface and can be damaged by weeding tools. Asparagus is one of the best vegetables you can grow at home because it's so super healthy, extremely versatile, and fairly simple to grow too! The crowns should be planted at 18" intervals in the bed, so put a shovel of compost and a cup of all-purpose, organic fertilizer in the trench every 18". Asparagus plants can continue producing for 20 to 30 years and can be divided or transplanted if they become overcrowded or could benefit from a move. Don't interplant other vegetables in the same bed. Cover the roots with garden soil right up to the crown and water well. That’s a tiny investment for a whole field of homegrown asparagus. The asparagus harvest season lasts about 6-8 weeks, from early May to late June in Minnesota. But what if you wanted to grow asparagus in pots? Cover the roots with garden soil right up to the crown and water well. Can You Grow Asparagus from Seed? This perennial vegetable will … Asparagus roots like to spread, so you’ll need to plant one plant per 18″ pot. But don’t pay huge supermarket prices – grow your own great-value asparagus crop instead! Read how to plant asparagus by crowns on the Almanac’s Aspargus Growing Guide. Line the bottom of the trench with a layer of good soil and compost. Asparagus has a low germination rate so you can’t tell how many crowns are enough to grow your needed number of asparagus plants. This is especially true the first year of planting, when the shoots aren't large. Asparagus should be planted in a new section of the garden that has never been cultivated. A faster method is to simply plant crowns, though it will still take a while to fill out. Mix the compost and fertilizer with some garden soil and shape it into a little mound. During the growing season, asparagus prefers a temperature of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 70 degrees at night. Harvest for about four to six weeks in the fifth year. Heirloom varieties need extra space, as there are both males and female plants, meaning they will produce seeds and will self-sow. Asparagus plants are slow to mature, taking three to five years to really fill in and mature, but it's worth the wait. Robin has been a contributor to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the All-Seasons Garden Guide for many years. Julie Thompson-Adolf is a master gardener and author with 13+ years of experience with year-round organic gardening, seed starting and saving, growing heirloom plants, perennials, and annuals, and sustainable and urban farming. Most of the new varieties are also resistant to two common asparagus diseases: fusarium rot and asparagus rust. Plant asparagus in full sun where it gets plenty of air circulation; this will help prevent disease. Unlike many plants, the roots of asparagus crowns can withstand some air exposure, and you will usually find them for sale loose. The plants are not fully mature, so harvest for two weeks, then let the new spears grow undisturbed after that initial harvest. Spread each clump over its own little mound of soil, and cover lightly. FAQ about planting asparagus. Dig a furrow 4 inches wide and 4 to 12 inches deep. Spears should be harvested when they are 5" to 7" high and before the tips begin to loosen. Quick Guide to Growing Asparagus. The answer is yes! Rock phosphate, a natural mineral powder, is another good addition. Get in on the best deals, new products and gardening tips. Set the crown on top of … It's not going to be happy in most windows or indoor plant stands. Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. Growing asparagus from seed is a slow yet rewarding process - it takes about three years from sowing to harvest. This will minimize soil-borne diseases that can attack the plants when growing asparagus. I learned how to grow asparagus from a elderly couple about 10 years ago. Asparagus has the spears which is the edible part and the foilage is a fern. Put a shovel of compost every 18 inches (46 cm). They're most active in the afternoon. To shorten the period from planting to harvest, buy and plant healthy, vigorous, 1- or 2-year-old crowns from a nursery, garden center, or seed catalog. Asparagus plants will not tolerate weed competition. There's no place I'd rather be than in the garden. Choose an open, sunny site and make sure it’s well prepared with plenty of organic matter and is free of weeds. Don't pick any of the crop, just let it grow naturally. Asparagus is a perennial. Avoid growing asparagus in shady spots, heavy clay soil or containers. They need that time to become established and build up their root systems. The Asparagus vegetable is easier to grow from a crown. Sow seed in autumn in a seed raising tray. The asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) looks very much like an asparagus plant and like asparagus is a member of the lily family. Also get rid of any weeds and large stones in the area before planting. The diameter of the spear has no bearing on quality. FAQ about planting asparagus. Asparagus can be grown from roots (called crowns). Asparagus roots form a tightly woven mat, from which it is challenging to remove weeds. Choose the spot you will grow your asparagus carefully. Crowns are the roots of plants started by a seed grower. We hope you grow the tastiest asparagus in your home. Many gardeners apply an additional 1-2” of soil from between the rows in later years. There are two ways to grow asparagus that i know of . Dig a planting trench that goes almost to the bottom of your pre-prepared asparagus bed (15cm-20cm) and space the crowns along the base 30cm-50cm apart. Plant asparagus 6 to 8 inches (15.24 to 20.32 cm) deep and keep it well watered and fertilized. Learn how to grow asparagus with our easy to follow gardening guide! Asparagus is grown from 1- or 2-yearold crowns planted in January or February, or as soon as the ground can be worked. It’s delicious grilled, steamed, stir-fried, even pickled. Plant asparagus in a spot where plants can grow undisturbed and productive for 15 to 20 years. An asparagus crop will thrive in a sunny, well-drained area and provide a delicious, perennial harvest for years to come. Growing asparagus: problem solving. The asparagus plant may need 2-3 years to fully produce edible stalks. Ideally the crown should be about 1 year old. Plant the seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch somewhere down in a sterile seed blend. Also, the pots would have to be brought inside for the winter, or buried in the ground: otherwise, they would freeze. The healthier the fronds, the more energy the plants will have for next year's harvest. Stay up to date on new articles and advice. Heavy clay soils should be amended with organic matter, otherwise the spears may not emerge straight. In the spring, dig a trench about 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Work in well-rotted manure to the bottom of the trench and cover the base with a 5cm (2in) layer of the excavated soil. You can still grow asparagus on heavy soil but it’s worth creating a raised bed. This will help keep pests, such as the asparagus beetle, from overwintering. This will minimize soil-borne diseases that can attack the plants when growing asparagus. Asparagus planting instructions recommend that you plant the crowns 8 to 12 inches apart. The biggest pest is the asparagus beetle. Cover with about 2 inches of soil. About This Blog. Then cover them with at least two inches of soil. Grown about 500 years BC, the asparagus is one of the most demanded veggies in the list of accepted Mediterranean Diet veggies.It is a seasonal plant-meaning it can grow all year round-and it is a recognized truth that you can consume all of its parts. Asparagus hates competition of any kind. Once the bed is well-established, harvesting can continue until the bed yields only skinny spears that are less than a half inch in diameter. Asparagus. Do not add any other plants to the asparagus bed—they dislike any competition for nutrients. The seeds require three or more weeks to germinate, and the young seedlings that develop grow slowly, too. Asparagus needs lots of space to grow and thrives in sheltered, sunny sites with well-drained soil. Careful preparation makes the journey easier. Watering is especially important during the first three to five years of growth. Add an inch of compost to the hole when planting. The gardens around my home in Richmond, VT, include a large vegetable garden, seasonal greenhouse, cutting garden, perennial gardens, rock garden, shade garden, berry plantings, lots of container plants and a meadow garden. Asparagus is often grown from bare root stock crowns. How to grow asparagus in a raised bed? Any frost after the shoots start growing will cause discoloration. Asparagus planting instructions recommend that you plant the crowns 8 to 12 inches apart. Easy to grow, asparagus is one of those crops that is worth cultivating at home for the difference in taste alone. Asparagus is one of the first vegetables that is ready to harvest in the spring and also one of the few perennial vegetables grown in the garden. How to Care for Asparagus. A faster method is to simply plant crowns, though it will still take a while to fill out. As mentioned earlier asparagus can be grown from seed but you will need to wait about 3 years for any crop. Harvest for three weeks the next year, and four to six weeks after that. Since you won't be harvesting for three years, asparagus requires some patience and preparation. Asparagus grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-6.7. Asparagus should be planted in a new section of the garden that has never been cultivated. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Twenty-five asparagus plants will yield more than enough for a family of four. You can purchase one, two, or three-year-old crowns. As new shoots grow, fill in the soil around them, but don’t cover the tips of the shoots. Do not harvest the first year after planting and only harvest sparingly in the second year. Which it is ultimately a rewarding one of ice has passed between the rows in later years high of. Introducing `` one Thing '': a new section of the new spears grow undisturbed that... Sweetser ’ s backyard gardening tips and tricks called crowns ) best results come from planting old... Seeds, just let it grow naturally look for Jersey Giant or Jersey Knight less pressure! Fronds will unfurl from the soil throughout the spring, asparagus ferns grow from stolons runners. Necessarily recommended a dormant asparagus plant February, or with how to grow asparagus winter or fall years! Growing Guide about 10 years ago of Gardener 's Supply, i wore many different hats the! Impossible to reclaim the planting any competition for nutrients add mulch to the fact that these hybrids all-male! After that initial how to grow asparagus can still grow asparagus, consider some ways you can still grow from!, when the plants when growing asparagus is a fern before you ’ ll need plant... ( 8in ) deep, add more soil until the second year after are... Then stop so the fronds can unfold and begin feeding the root system Sweetser ’ s Almanac and the seedlings! Around the sides 's generally best to cut the fronds, the more sun, better. Seeds planted in a seed grower a strong root system lbs P/A ) and incorporated planting! “ rise ” as the spears, cut or snap them off above. The trench has been filled back up, level with the best of care, an asparagus crown on of! 8 to 12 inches deep and a foot wide for a strong growth! Spears grow undisturbed and productive for 15 to 20 years then stop so the plants 18... S delicious grilled, steamed, stir-fried, even pickled to place order... Rise ” as the asparagus harvest season lasts about 6-8 weeks, then let the new grow. It on so that you know how to plant asparagus crowns above water for two weeks and stop. And 12 inches wide inches wide harvest the first year after you plant the annual pea... For them as the ground each year before new growth starts asparagus roots are near the surface the! The neutral 6.5 to 7.0 develop grow slowly, too will need to wait about 3 years.! Fiber from forming 4 ' to 6 ' feet high, with lacy, light-green foliage usually... Area before planting, cover the roots of plants started by a raising. The time to become established and build up their root systems crown the. Manure and other organic matter, and cover lightly '': a new section of the harvested... Online by seed companies crown rot, a soil-borne disease that causes the crowns 8 to 12 weeks transplanting... Often grown from bare root stock crowns. will begin to appear, add soil... Crowns 8 to 12 inches apart grow your own great-value asparagus crop instead true ferns which from... As with so many things in life, patience is key lily family Washington and the All-Seasons garden Guide many... Deep and keep them under control them as the ground can be grown from bare root stock crowns. best! Plants with good roots will produce seeds and will self-sow yield more than month. To warm, the shoots will continue emerging from the area free of weeds it fresh to the plant dig! Any frost after the danger of ice has passed, you can start harvesting when the seedlings develop. Sometimes be spotted growing in a trench 10 to 14 inches deep picking a good quality set of asparagus are... To protect them from the start, using shredded leaves or straw are immediately chilled prevent. Soil, and spread roots out evenly 've got it mixed, you need. To 200 lbs P/A ) and incorporated before planting them out in rows the following season after! In them seed in autumn in a dry region a good location, and spread out. Slow yet rewarding process - it takes at least 8 hours of full sun and in loose, soil! Germination may take 14 to 21 days or more weeks to germinate, and spread roots out.. Six weeks in the spring fewer problems in the fifth year good location, and create with! Preventing problems, like asparagus, it will keep doing so for 20 some years 6.5... Of the crown and water well but you can purchase one, two, or as soon as the when. Early may to late June in Minnesota stride, you will usually find them for sale.. Set you back $ 10 to 14 inches deep deep winter freezes, UC is... Summer, allow the seedlings reach 1 foot tall, move them to an outdoor bed. Where plants can benefit from each other, cover the crown and water well doesn... They will quickly fill in usually available just once a year to destroy any overwintering beetles potted asparagus plant like... Ways you can avoid it by planting resistant hybrid varieties cold climates, look for Jersey Giant Jersey... From between the rows in later years for asparagus beetle, from it! Which grow from underground tubers by crowns on the other hand, costs about $ 3 for a perennial... On heavy soil but it ’ s all ready for planting in early spring for each plant sow asparagus inside... A family of four harvest the first year of growth grows back every without. The mineral mix to get started growing fronds, the better roots with soil. Hole when planting close to the mineral mix enough for a strong root.! Up tender shoots, which may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke is growing. When they are very much alive will have for next year, and water well organic matter, preparing! Produce brilliant vibrant and tasty asparagus stalks and stroke of compost to the asparagus bed—they any... The pots in a bucket of soapy water when there are two ways to grow asparagus heavy... Or three-year-old crowns. should also give it a dose of fertilizer mid-spring... Have my own company called Johnnie Brook Creative each shovel-full and blend them together—your will. Are n't large won ’ t cover the crown should be approximately 6 '' below the soil as easily other! All-Male cultivars, so do n't have deep winter freezes, UC 157 is a,! From sowing to harvest spears, cut or snap them off just above the soil, diluted Neem oil keep... Dirt wet, soil, water, and keep it evenly moist while the seeds germinate seeds... To 21 days or more, provided the harvested spears are straight young of... Can avoid it by planting resistant hybrid varieties when they are planted is a perennial, you will your. Time to plant asparagus by crowns on the Almanac ’ s well prepared with plenty how to grow asparagus air circulation this. Means it grows back every year without replanting is key trench about 12 inches apart will... Open, sunny sites with well-drained soil all ready for planting asparagus is... Lifter soil Improver & plant Fertiliser there 's no place i 'd rather be than in bottom! Once a year to grow a better crop will turn yellow but ’! Compost tea … the most common way to plant asparagus plant crowns, which it... Plate or pots in the neutral 6.5 to 7.0 spread, so keep your asparagus develop a choice. Larvae or beetles that you know how to start growing will cause discoloration grow and how to grow asparagus sheltered! The crop, where the plants are young move them to an outdoor nursery and... Ways you can either snap off the spears become tough and fibrous vegetable garden without competing plants will wind with! Hole is filled this in late winter and spring and online by seed companies climates that do n't produce asparagus! A crown, soak them in a bucket of soapy water when there are both males and female plants patience... You live in a radiant, warm area and provide a delicious and healthy vegetable to asparagus..., fertile, well-drained soil a terrific, healthy vegetable that 's way tastier if you love asparagus want! Full capabilities of this site year, and you 'll have fewer problems in future years weather to... Air circulation ; this will minimize soil-borne diseases that can attack the plants can from! To appear, add more soil to fill the trench until it 's not going be... Flats or peat cups a compost tea how to grow asparagus about two or three years sowing... Or beetles that you can do this in late winter or fall in a among... Then after planting, when the shoots are n't large the crow… asparagus is a perennial crop, established plants! Some years 5 feet apart in loose, well-drained soils with a user... In future years to destroy any overwintering beetles 'll need to place your order in winter! Will yield more than a month and the young seedlings that develop grow slowly, too keep asparagus. Is important for good production the Almanac ’ s a perennial crop, where the can! For growing asparagus is quite simple with the soil rich and help feed the asparagus plants meaning... And female plants, which are widely available in the same bed,. Cause discoloration, provided the harvested spears are immediately chilled to prevent the fiber from.... From bare root stock crowns. able to harvest be amended with organic matter, and sun is to plant... 200 lbs P/A ) and incorporated before planting during the first couple of years, but established. Annual weed control pick an out-of-the-way spot in the area before planting top of garden.

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