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

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24 Aug 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It might be slugs or snails, try using something to kill or deter them.
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24 Aug 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Google it - bugs that eat asparagus. Probably have to go out at night to see them. Then look for a spray, organic or chemical. Maybe don't use chook manure, or compost it before putting it on. I don't put compost/manure on until mid-late August.
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27 Jul 20, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
my asparagus plant is on its 3rd season since being transplanted...this winter the ferns appear to have died. there's 3ferns left and I've supported them. What I'm asking is it looks dead...any advice??
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22 Mar 21, Simone (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The ferns do die, asparagus will send shoots up in warmer weather aka springtime, it's like strawberries, dies down over winter but roots are still alive and come back in springtime :-)
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27 Jul 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Depends how much water you have put on over the last 2-3 months. The plant goes into dormancy in winter and the ferns die back later autumn/winter. Wait until late August and give it some fertiliser, put 100mm of compost on top and start watering it. It should start sending up spears after that. If not it might be dead. Google about growing asparagus.
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25 May 20, Liz Timperley (New Zealand - temperate climate)
In Northland when is the best time to plant and where can you get the crowns from please?
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27 May 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Go to New Zealand subtropical asparagus and the info is there when to plant. Bunnings generally have them in August to plant. Or internet seed selling website.
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05 May 20, Leo (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The property we rent has 1 asparagus plant. Can I split it up and grow more?
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06 May 20, M (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Yes you can. Type in
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08 May 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Go to google and type in can you split asparagus crowns and replant.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 40 comments
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The transplanted ones will depend on how they were treated last year - whether they were left to build up energy reserves for this year. If you had plenty of spears grow into ferns then they should produce this year. Probably also depends how old the old crowns are. Last year while I was growing mine from 12 mth crowns to 24 mths I use to put about half a cup of fert in 9 L of water and feed them each month - only had 3 crowns. I also put manure/compost on in august. I have crowns that are coming up to 3 years old - that is from when seeds were planted - they have been shooting spears for a few weeks now - I have cut them back and manured and watered them. My seedlings which will be 12 mths old in Sept - I have not cut them back yet or put manure on them yet - will probably do that in about two weeks time. I have not watered them for the last month - they are not growing at the moment. As for manure - chicken is the richest in N followed by cow and then horse manure. I read the other day horse is about 1.75% N. Whatever manure you can get and add some fert if you like. We have had only one week of cool weather so far this winter - that is night temps down to 6-8 degrees.

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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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