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

10 Jul 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
You couldnt have said it any better....I too thought horse poop was a good thing until I seen how many weeds I was pulling out of my vegie patch.
03 May 10, Selina (Australia - tropical climate)
Yes agree also. I had a similar terrible experience with horse manure myself and still paying for it. Is cow manure better? I've heard that you don't get the weeds because they have more than one stomach.
09 Oct 10, pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i use horse manure without problems, however having said that i get it from a trotting stable where the trainer only feeds his horses on rice based horse feed. If you collect it from a paddock it will contain weed and grass seeds. as for cow manure - its much better because they have two stomacs and regurgitate and chew their cud breaking down the food much better than a horse can.
06 Apr 10, bec (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone grow asparagus around Toowoomba QLD area, I'd like to know where I can buy crowns, I know they grow asparagus down around Warwick? Will horse manure work.
31 May 13, karen (Australia - temperate climate)
have you had a reply to your question?? as I also would like to buy some crowns, and could do with some tips on growing them down the range.
28 Feb 10, Teresa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We planted our asparagus crown in an old tyre will this make a difference to how it grows?
31 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks warren. I still have the old Mary Washingtons so may replant them into some really good compost and keep the manure up. Interesting that it took four years - may have to wait and see how they go with some TLC.
30 Jan 10, warren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Evelyn I haven't tried the fat bastard variety but I have Mary Washington in at present. Grew these plants from seed and it has taken 5 years for my first really good crop although I could have picked after 3 years I didn't and the wait has been worthwhile.. The secret is to use plenty of manure- I have found sheep and cow manure is great and I dig in a few bags in early winter so it rots down well before spring. Also plenty of water in summer so the crowns don't get dry.
27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our asparagus did not go so well after four years - we found out too late that we had mainly female plants which don't get very fat, nor had we really manured the soil enough I think so probably a bit nutrient deficient as well. I gave in and bought some asparagus plants from Diggers this year - a variety called Fat Bastard (sorry but that is its name). Has anyone tried this variety and how did you find it?
16 Jan 10, meg (Australia - tropical climate)
neighbour in babinda grows asparagus. bunnings cairns had crowns recently. i am having a go .
Showing 541 - 550 of 574 comments

Just trying aspar. I use multi-later dig free gardens (Ester Dean Style). proposed Aspar. bed approx 2.4 x 1.8 x.6 deep Q?. How close can I plant crowns for maximum use of this bed? thanks Dave.

- Dave

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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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