How to Grow Asparagus

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Asparagus is one of the healthiest and most delicious vegetables that you can plant. Today we'll show you how to grow asparagus with our easy to follow gardening guide. Asparagus is a perennial bulb that grows every spring and adds a delicious note to any dish. Keep reading to find out how to grow asparagus in your own backyard.

How to Grow Asparagus in Your Yard

Asparagus takes some patience to grow. The asparagus plant may need 2-3 years to fully produce edible stalks. Thankfully, once it starts to produce, it will keep doing so for 20 some years. Asparagus plants are best grown in cool weather regions.

Planting Asparagus:

Plant asparagus in the early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Asparagus is best planted from “crowns”, which are 1 year old plants. You can usually purchase asparagus crowns from your local nursery.
Start by removing any weeds that may be around the soil. Dig the soil and mix in a 2-4 inch layer of compost, manure, or soil mix.
Dig 6 inch wide trenches that are about 6-12 inches deep. Some expert gardeners believe that 6 inch deep trenches are best.
Make sure the soil is well drained, and if not, plant your asparagus in raised beds.
Create a mount and plant each crown 15-18 inches apart. Spread the roots over the ridge.
Now cover the roots and crown with 2 inches of soil and water well.
As the stems grow, cover the trenches with more soil, leaving about 2-3 inches of the stem exposed.

Caring for Asparagus:

Once the trench is filled with soil, add about 4-8 inches of mulch and water on a regular basis.
Do not harvest the stems in the first year.
Cut down dead foliage in late fall and dress with compost.
During the asparagus' second year, mulch heavily, side dress in spring and early fall, and cut down any dead foliage in late fall.

Harvesting Asparagus:

Asparagus will take about three years to grow, so be patient.
Harvest after three seasons and only harvest the stems that are thicker than a pencil.
Once ready to harvest, you only have a 2-3 week period to do so, so make sure you don't miss out!
After harvest, allow ferns to grow which will replenish the nutrients for next season's crop.

Happy Planting!