How to Successfully Grow Asparagus at Home

Asparagus is one of very few perennial vegetables and is grown for its tender shoots, referred to as spears. Asparagus can be grown in the home garden and with the proper site selection and care, will continue to bear for years.

When selecting a location for Asparagus, look for an area that will not be disturbed where the asparagus plants can grow for years. Asparagus is a more permanent planting, with plants bearing well for over 12-15 years.

Asparagus likes a sunny location with slightly acidic soil, a pH of 6.0-7.0. As most soils in the northeast are more acidic, soil amendments may be needed. Asparagus like a well-drained moist soil.

Prepare the bed by cultivating and removing weeds and sod. Manure, leaf mold, compost, and other suitable material can be mixed with the soil. The row can be raised a couple inches if water is likely to sit in the area.

Although Asparagus plants can be grown from seed, buying one year crowns is a lot simpler. Hybrids and male varieties are the best bearers. When selecting crowns, avoid any crowns with dried out, moldy, waterlogged or rotten roots. Roots should be moist, have good color, be firm, and not be dead. Also look for god buds on the crowns.

Dig a trench six to twelve inches deep and 12-15 inches wide for the row. Plants should be spaced about 18 inches apart, but 15 inches apart will work if space is limited. Spread out the roots around and below the crown and fill in soil around them. Cover the crowns with soil.

Asparagus is allowed to grow freely the first two years, and can be harvested starting the third year. The plants need to establish their root system and crowns during the first couple years and harvesting will put too much stress on and stunt the plants.

Harvest the spears when 6-8 inches tall, by snapping off just below ground level. New spears will grow to replace harvested spears. Healthy, established plants can be harvested for 6-8 weeks. When spears decrease in thickness and size, cease harvesting and allow the remaining spears to grow fully to replenish the plant.

The harvest period can be extended by planting the plants at varying depths from 3-10 inches deep. The winter mulch can also be retained on half the bed until the spears break through, delaying growth. It is also possible to let some spears grow in spring, cut back at the end of July, and harvest the spears into the fall. Be careful not to cut back any plants that were harvested in spring and keep the patch watered.

Once harvested, spears should be either used or refrigerated immediately.

A winter mulch and annual topdressing with compost is beneficial. Refrain from cultivating during/after harvest so as to not risk damaging spears.

Plants are affected by Verticillium and rust. Selecting resistant varieties is advised. Cutworms and Asparagus Beetles also bother the plants. Poor production and crown rot can affect plants if soil is too heavy and not properly prepared. Spears can become sparse, spindly, and weak from improper harvesting.

So by following these methods, you should have a successful asparagus patch for many years.