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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17 Jan 15, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought crowns at Aldi for $6 for 2xpkt. Also saw and bought more at The Reject Shop about july/August 2014. Am looking out for them again this year. Always browse at the above for odd and interesting bulbs.
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10 May 14, Dulcetbrewer (Australia - temperate climate)
I haven't been able to find anyone selling crowns. Bunnings have seedlings at present -early May, but, like me, I think you will have to plant seeds or seedlings & wait it out.
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05 May 14, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Adriana, bulbsonline.com.au has them in WA when in season, great, big healthy crowns way cheaper and bigger and better looking than the others I looked at, I planted loads last year. Still need to wait for a harvest with crowns though not as long as seeds or seedlings.
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Adriana, Contact Tesselaars and/or Garden Express and ask to be put on their catalogue maailing list. Both usually sell crowns in winter by mail order.
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02 Jan 14, Rem (Australia - temperate climate)
Try Wandilla Nursery. They usually have 3 year old crowns available.
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17 Nov 13, Pauline Morgan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When do I stop harvesting and let the ferns grow to feed my plants? I started harvesting in early October. Thanks Pauline
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03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Pauline, it depends on how old your plants are. General rule is no harvest first two years, then take one or two the next year. After that I have been just playing it by ear. We are quite dry usually and when the spears slow I leave them alone. Sometimes if we get a big downpour the stems start again, you could take some more then.
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10 Nov 13, j power (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy crowns in KZN
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11 Oct 13, Petro (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Were can I buy asparagus roots or crowns in Gauteng or Pretoria or even in Bela-Bela (warmbath)
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07 Oct 13, Craig Smith (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
looking for crowns as root stock , where can I get.. looking for a source of plant material, Tnx , Craig
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Showing 471 - 480 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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