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 16°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 40 cm 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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03 Sep 21, Peter Wise (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please tell me how to look after asparagus after growing it from seed since November 2020. How and when to fertilise. Live in melbourne thanks in advance
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12 Sep 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
And from seed
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07 Sep 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You generally plant the crowns/plants now early spring. Grow in full sun. Dig a hole 2-3 times the size of the pot they are in now, mix a little fertilise in the soil in the bottom of the hole, plant the asparagus and water well. If it is still coldish in Melbourne wait until next month. Water 2-3 times a week depending on how hot/cold it is and whether your soil is light or heavy. Mix some compost or manures into your soil if heavy. In the future - cut the ferns off in late winter, give a good watering, then give a good fertilising and put about 4-6
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22 Aug 21, Kathleen Clarke (Australia - temperate climate)
My asparagus plants are at least 6 years old I get a lot of skinny spears I think they are female spears How do I encourage thicker spears?
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29 Aug 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do you use any fertiliser?
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20 Jul 21, Larga Parker (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can buy seeds and crowns (depending on the season) from Livingseeds in Midvaal. They have a online website with plenty of organic heirloom seeds.
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14 Jul 21, Page (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I do not have access to crowns but do for seeds. How best to prepare the soil and what pH is recommended?
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21 Jul 21, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bunnings sell crowns this time of year. Google seed selling companies on the net - like Eden seeds or similar. Crowns will have you 12 mths ahead of seeds. Just good friable soil ph 6-7 will grow most things or google it.
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27 Jun 21, Valerie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have already planted mine last year they are growing so tall not sure what's gonna happen
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29 Jun 21, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google how to grow it. Late winter you need to cut it off at ground level. Put compost 4-6 cm.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 565 comments
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Dear Peter, we live in Piccadilly in the cool Adelaide Hills (a bit like Tassie weather in winter) and have enjoyed the produce from the same asparagus bed for 31 years feeding our family of 6 (now only 2 members still here). Over the years we have removed parts of some of the 6 original crowns in a bed about 1 metre by half a metre, and the asparagus spears keep coming up. However, raspberry canes are beginning to infest the bed, so I am about to start another asparagus bed elsewhere in the garden. Good luck with yours!

- Margaret

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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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