Asparagus has to be my favorite early spring vegetable. Though it is wonderful cooked. I think it is best eaten raw while working in the garden. Asparagus is often started from one-year crowns, however you can plant asparagus from seed, too!
It’s not hard to grow asparagus from seed; it just adds an extra year onto the wait period until you can begin to harvest. We planted ‘Argenteuil’ a French heirloom variety.
Read Next
The plants are only about 6 weeks old and they already have impressive root systems.
Plus, asparagus is a perennial vegetable—plant it once and enjoy it for many years. Crunchy, succulent and flavorful, asparagus is good for you as well.
Anything this tasty and reliable does not come easily though. It takes up a lot of space, there is a lot of prep work to get the bed ready, and it requires about three years from seed to harvest before we get to taste a single spear.
The good news is that, once started, asparagus can last a generation, so there are big rewards!
Planting Asparagus From Seed
Two years ago, I started some asparagus from seed and transplanted them to a nursery bed in the garden. They were immediately eaten by cutworms! It was late summer and I did not think they were still active. Wrong!
Imagine my relief when a few weeks later they sent up new fronds and continued to grow until freezing weather set in. Last spring they popped right up—cute little miniature spears of asparagus that turned into lush green fronds.
Since male plants are more productive we were able to figure out which ones were female when they blossomed and formed seed pods. These plants were pulled out, leaving only male plants. This spring, before any growth emerged, it was time for us to move the plants to their permanent location.
I couldn’t believe how huge the root systems had gotten!
We dug a trench about 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep. We added compost to the bottom of the trench and used it to make 4 inch high mounds about 18 inches apart in the trench.
We placed the crowns of the plants on the mounds and let the roots drape down over the sides, then covered them with a few inches of soil. As the spears grow we can continue to fill in the trench until it is level or even slightly higher than the surrounding soil. The crowns should end up at least 4 inches below the surface.
Now comes the really hard part. We can’t pick any spears this year and maybe only a few next year. The third year we can pick only spears that are finger-sized but have to stop when they get to be less than 1/2 inch in diameter.
Patience is something that doesn’t grow in my garden! I have to work at it.
Read how to plant asparagus by crowns on the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË’s Aspargus Growing Guide.
Robin Sweetser
ADVERTISEMENT
Hi, I brought some Asparagus seeds to plant this past spring. They've started to grow and have reached over 2-3"'s tall. I've transplanted them into my garden in the backyard. They look so cute! Out of the 70 or so seeds in the package. 20-30 have taken! I've inherited my dad's Green Thumb! Now is the hard part "waiting the 2 years before I can harvest them.
At least they are on they're way. : ) Have a Great Summer!
I started aspargus last year and when they were about 5" tall transplanted them to a raised garden plot.. planting the roots about 5" or so. Aspargus grown along the road allowances where I love so I didn't put any mulch or ground cover over them thinking that if they grow there, they should be good without too much fuss. They appeared to have wintered well but are showing no real signs of waking up yet. I know I shouldn't harvest until at least 3 years but am wondering if there is anything I should be doing now or in late fall to help them along. I also wondered about the photo posted as it appears to be a well established root system not one that is 2 years old. Can you confirm please as I think this can be a little misleading. thanks
So. this is my asparagus second year after I planted them from seed last year. The little spindley spears that are coming up and becoming fern-like, should I be cutting them back even though they are not big enough to eat or just let them bolt?
I would love to plant asparagus, but I have no clue where to even start. Where do I get seedlings or crowns? And is my zone (6) a good place to grow asparagus. So many questions, so little time. Someone please help.
Why do you want only male plants?
A friend gave me a small planter container with many asparagus seedlings all growing very close together. I have been watering them and now I see there are ting asparagus growing. I live in the tropics with only wet and dry season. What do I do with these plants? I want to make a bed. Do I try to separate the seedlings now? They are about 12 - 18 inch ferns and falling over. Thanks
