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 61°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 16 inches 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 Aug 19, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Three suggestions 1. Straight after you cut all the dead ferns off in winter spray the weeds - not recommended really you could kill the plants. 2. Give the ground a watering and pull the weeds out by hand - recommended. 3. Don't let the weeds grow much pull them out as they germinate. At the moment I have dozens of tomato seeds germinating from the mulch/compost I just put on my asparagus.
15 Aug 19, Jenni (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have bought tiny ferns of asparagus,2-3inches high, which i'm about to plant. i'm not sure what the different terms mean or look like? ie roots shoots ferns crowns . in what sequence do they grow and when.
16 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
After 6 months or so your little ferns will have a hard bulb - that is the crown - this will grow bigger. Next time you go to Bunnings look for asparagus bulbs - about 9 mnths old. From the crown you will have roots - just like any plant has. After you have trimmed off your asparagus plants in the winter and it warms up, shoots come out of the ground - these are called spears - these are the things you cut off and eat. If these are left to grow then they become ferns. GO on the internet and type in growing asparagus and read read,
13 Aug 19, JERRY BAKER (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What varieties of asparagus will do well in zone 8a? I live West of Fort Worth, Texas I wish to buy 2 year old or older “Crowns”.
02 Aug 19, SueEllen (Australia - temperate climate)
i have cut back my asparagus when it died back, about 3 weeks ago. I covered it with manure and compost and it has begun to grow again. The new stalks are about 15 - 20 cms already but only pencil thin. I really want to harvest white asparagus, should i mound the soil up over the asparagus now? or should i let it just grow?
04 Aug 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant white asparagus if you want white. If plant is old you could cut the spears - thin ones. If plant is 1-2 years old could let the thin spears grow. Read up about male and female asparagus.
28 Jul 19, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy good asparagus crowns ?
29 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try Bunnings or a nursery.
04 Jul 19, mark (Australia - temperate climate)
i live in a frost prone area reg minus 1or 2 deg c i planted asparagus seedlings 2 year ago and 2 year old crowns about a month ago i mulched with a good layer of suger cane mulch it is early july and the shoots on my older plants are emerging we had another frost today , my questing is should i just leave them or should i trim them of to prevent frost damage to the plant
05 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
I would suggest you read the article here until you understand it.
Showing 211 - 220 of 574 comments

I stop watering at the end of April and just leave it. I cut back the end of August and apply fertiliser then water and 4-6 (??)

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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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