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

06 Jun 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
You are better growing from crowns. Read other posting about buying crowns from Bunnings. If you want seeds go on the internet to Boondie Seeds and look at their varieties.
13 May 22, WayneReal (Australia - tropical climate)
When are Fat Bastard Asparagus crowns available? What size and price please Postage to 4703 Thanks Wayne
29 Apr 22, james gray (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted green and purple asparagus about 2 years ago in a raised bed, 2 hours south of Perth in Lowden.. All the plants fronds are massive now, maybe 500mm high, falling over and hanging out of the bed itself, still very green and very healthy. I am wondering when do I trim the fronds off back to ground level and then fertilise with chook manure, etc, and mulch again?
19 Apr 22, Dawn (USA - Zone 10a climate)
When you buy crowns does only one shoot grow from one crown? It looks like from pictures that there is more shoots coming up if your planting them 8 to 12 inches apart? Since we live in central coastal California is it best to go to a nursery in town for buying the two year old crowns?
21 Apr 22, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
The crown will produce many spears. As it grows it produces more and more over the years. Plant 2' apart. Buy 1 or 2 year crowns.
18 Apr 22, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I’m on the Sunshine Coast Qld. It’s autumn now so do I cut back my asparagus plant now. It’s starting to die off but still sending spears up. Thanks
21 Apr 22, (Australia - temperate climate)
Leave until late August to cut back, then fertilise, compost and water. Stop watering in the next month.
19 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
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 (??)
21 Feb 22, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello my plant is about 4yrs old was getting skinny shoots until I put dried chicken manure from my chooks on and within weeks I started getting thicker shoots the size of an index finger, I'm in Alice Springs where we get minus 5 temps in winter when is the best time to prune as I've never pruned it before. Thank you looking forward to hearing from you.
08 Mar 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Asparagus is a 'gross feeder' meaning that it likes rich soil with plenty of nitrogen. That is why the poultry manure gave them a burst. Harvest the spears from Spring into Summer, then let the spears grow into 'ferny' heads. Keep the water and nutrients up, use a good mulch to retain water, then cut the heads off at ground level when they turn yellow in late autum. Leaving the ferny heads on helps the plant to regenerate. You should have a good crop next season. Asparagus is quite cold hardy. Trust this helps
Showing 81 - 90 of 574 comments

I transplanted a few old and new crowns 27/6/17 in Gisborne Vic into a different bed wondering how long before they settle there and was it the wrong time to replant them and will they produce any asparagus this year .Thanks for any comments anyone can post .Tony

- Tony

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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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