Growing Asparagus from Seed: Economy, Disease Avoidance, and the Male vs. Female Debate

Crowns (1-year roots) are the usual asparagus start, but seeds offer advantages: lower cost, less disease risk, and the satisfaction of raising your own. Males are preferred commercially—they produce more, thinner spears without self-sown seedlings crowding the bed. But seed-grown patches include both sexes.

Harvesting Your Own Seed

Female plants bear ⅜-in red berries in late summer/fall. Each contains ~6 seeds. (All-male patches won't produce fruit.)

Seed Preparation

1. Soak berries in water 4 days, changing water 3× daily to remove pulp and germination inhibitors.
2. Discard floating pulp and seeds; keep sinkers.
3. Plant immediately or dry on paper towels, store in envelope in jar in refrigerator.

Sowing and Seedling Care

• Timing: Late winter, ~3 months before spring transplant.
• Containers: Individual 2-in pots or cell trays (3 in deep), sterile mix. Sow 1 seed/pot, cover ½ in.
• Germination: Cap with plastic wrap. 75°F day / 65°F night. 5 days to 8 weeks to sprout.
• After emergence: Remove wrap; sunny window or grow light.
• Fertilize: Weekly, ¼ strength organic (e.g., ½ Tbsp 2-3-1 fish/seaweed per gallon).

Transplanting to Garden

Harden off. Plant 18 in apart in rows ≥3 ft apart. Dig 4-in hole; cover only tip. Gradually fill as seedling grows. Harvest begins second spring after transplant.

Photos: Berries—apple2000 (Wikimedia CC); Seeds—Stefan Lefnaer (Wikimedia CC); Thumbnail/antique—Flore Medicale (plantillustrations.org).