Growing Asparagus

Planting and Harvesting Asparagus

Our asparagus crowns are plump and ready for transplanting. We recommend planting immediately upon receipt. If delayed, place crowns in a bucket, cover with moist (not soggy) soil, and store in a cool garden shed or basement. Mold on the soil is harmless—wash it off before planting.

Planting

1. Choose a well-drained, full-sun location where plants can grow undisturbed for 10–12 years. Space crowns 1 ft. apart in rows 2½–3 ft. apart.
2. Soak crowns in water for 1 hour before planting.
3. Dig trenches 1 ft. deep and 18 in. wide. Loosen soil and work in compost, rotted manure, leaf mold, or balanced fertilizer.
4. Make mounds at the bottom, place crowns over mounds with buds pointing up, and spread roots evenly like spokes.
5. Cover crowns with 3 in. of soil, water thoroughly, and keep moist until spears emerge (2–6 weeks depending on soil temperature).
6. When plants reach 10–12 in., fill the trench to ground level. Weed regularly, apply balanced fertilizer in fall, and water through summer and autumn if rainfall is lacking.

Harvesting

• Year 1: Do not harvest. Allow spears to grow into ferny foliage to build roots.
• Year 2: Cut a few spears per plant over two weeks.
• Year 3: Harvest over a 3–4 week period.
• Year 4+: Extend harvest to 6–8 weeks. Stop when spear tips become bumpy (tiny buds), signaling the need to let spears grow into foliage to nourish roots.

Well-cared-for plants produce more shoots yearly, forming clumps 18–24 in. wide in 5–6 years.