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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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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10 Mar 21, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mine are 5 years old and I put compost and rooster booster on mine in late August after trimming back old growth. I pick for about 10 weeks, let the ferns grow until mid Jan and cut back again. Compost and rooster booster again and pick for 4 weeks. Then let it go ferns again. Mainly have it on toast for breaky.
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14 Mar 21, tolga (Australia - arid climate)
i was given a small Asparagus seedling and is now growing very healthy in a clay pot. how long before they start producing spears? and where is the best spot to grow these and soil type please
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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
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22 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
12-15 (?)
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22 Nov 20, Shona Mardle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My 3rd year for asparagus, so first year picking with abundance. I seem to have a lot of tall skinny spindly hard shoots. I have been cutting them off. Why are they growing? Is it something I am doing wrong? Does the plant need them?
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23 Nov 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mine are 3-4 years old. What I do now. Cut old ferns off late August (sub- tropical) then apply a few hand fulls of rooster booster from Bunnings per crown. It is only 4-3-3 organic fertiliser. I then put a 6
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19 Nov 20, Kate (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi - I planted asparagus crowns in early September. I'm in mid Canterbury. Nothing has come up yet at all. Is it likely my crowns rotted or do I need to be more patient! Thanks
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19 Nov 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Read up about how to plant the crowns. They would only need a light watering each second day. Dig around one to see what is happening. Put in good friable soil not clay soil.
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14 Nov 20, cheri (USA - Zone 7b climate)
How much sun do asparagus plants need? I live in zone 7.
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16 Nov 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can handle full sun but will grow in situation where sun in morning and shade in arvo. Google and read up about it.
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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. GardenGrow 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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