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 Jul 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Asparagus is perennial and will bear for around 20 years.
27 Jun 17, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
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
28 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tony - a friend of mine has had asparagus in for 4-5 years. He moved them last year and they are doing fine. Asparagus is dormant during the winter months and this is the time to do it. You probably could have waited another month or so but I don't think it will do any harm. Hope you dug the soil up good and put some manure in the garden bed. During July and August put some more manure / compost on top of the garden -- 4-6".
18 Jun 17, Laurie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a question about asparagus. I am planning to plant some crowns soon. Can I plant other veg in this bed whilst the asparagus is dormant? If yes, presumably something not deep rooted like lettuce? if yes, any other suggestions?
19 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
The crowns will start shooting August -Sept. Very little time to grow something. Depending on where you live - you would plant crowns Aug -Sept and put a good cover of compost / manure on top. This supplies the crown with nutrients for growing - you wouldn't want other plants use the nutrients up.
17 Jun 17, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
I have just dug up old crowns to transplant, will these grow successfully in new fertilised beds or do I need to get new crowns? They are probably 30 yrs old but were still producing some shoots. Healthy long stems on the crowns.
19 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They are probably past their use by date. Usually only have a good productive life of about 15 to 20 yrs. You may get more though. My suggestion cut one into a few pieces and plant them out. If you have the ground buy a few new crowns and plant them also. Next spring 2018 will tell, if the old one don't do well then you have new ones on the go.
22 Apr 17, Joy (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can you tell the difference between male and female asparagus, and what is the difference?
28 Oct 18, Joe Legrand (USA - Zone 8a climate)
True Female have berries, but some new female do not have berries. Male are thumb size, most female are little finger or #2 pencil size like Mary Reed.
23 Apr 17, Jack (USA - Zone 6b climate)
When the tops are allowed to develop into the feathery stage the female plants will have the berries which turn red when ripe.
Showing 341 - 350 of 579 comments

Thanks.

- LYNETTE J HOULIHAN

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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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