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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Planted asparagus crowns about 3 months ago, thought they were not going to grow at all. Over the past 2 weeks, we now have 3 spears the longest over 8inches high. It grows 1cm or so per day. Loving it, as have never grown this before. This is in the South Australia climate

- Lyn

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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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