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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27 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
Bought a punnet of purple asparagus "ferns" from Bunnings garden centre. About dozen ferns in punnet. Would appreciate some tips on how deep to plant and should I cover every few weeks with soil? Intending to grow in a raised bed measuring 90cm x 90cm x 40cm.
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04 Oct 14, kathy (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My plant is one year old. Growing well but lots of ferns. Should i cut them down and how far and cut all ferns down? Or just leave it. About half metre tall.
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05 Oct 14, Frans (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Kathy. Yes you should trim is to about 10 cm. The focus for the first 16 months should be root oriantated. Cutting it down will fors the roots to work and grow better as more nutrients are available for just that. Give a good dose of bone meal (beenmeel) after such a trimming. Hope you find this helpfull.
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02 Oct 14, Victor Jeva (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Can I grow cucumber In the same bed with asparagus? Many thanks for your feedback......
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01 Oct 14, aadila (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
hi i just bought asparagus plants from my nursery. they are about a meter high with about 3 or 4 ferns.the helpers there did not know how old the plants are. when do u suppose i can start harvesting? when do u suggest i start harvesting because i heard u should leave them for 2-3 years.
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02 Oct 14, Eric (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi where in Durban did you buy your plants i have been looking everywhere?
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30 Sep 14, ray johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted Some packaged root stock 6" deep in August. I now have a 2" spear showing through. For the first year should i just let them grow and the die back in winter? Should i move my leeks to another bed. I am planning on using this bed for more rhubarb and more asparagus if this first batch survives. regs ray
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31 Aug 14, lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can my friend in Melbourne buy some asparagus crowns? Thanks! Lisa
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06 Sep 14, stapo (Australia - temperate climate)
type "the plant shop" into your search engine i orderd their 4 three year old crowns and there was 7 in the parcel i had by the weekend
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25 Jul 14, boerbill (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
In the ceres karoo with annual rainfall fo 150mm p.a. pleanty osf salty water available any tips for me and also where can i get crowns.?
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Showing 441 - 450 of 585 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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