Asparagus Planting Instructions
Asparagus is a fairly low maintenance perennial. Planting asparagus seed is an economical way to establish an asparagus bed. There are some advantages to starting asparagus plants from seeds. Plants started from seed are less likely to carry some diseases that can affect asparagus, such as fusarium or rust. It's best to sow seed into individual 3-4 inch pots about ¼ inch deep. Asparagus seeds can take 2 to 3 weeks to sprout at a temperature of between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to keep the soil moist until the seeds have sprouted.
Asparagus should be planted in a bed and needs room to grow. The bed should be prepared ahead of transplanting time. Asparagus prefers a pH in the range of 6.0-6.7 so if the soil is very acid add lime to achieve the desired ph. Good drainage is critical, make sure to locate your asparagus patch in a well drained area. Seedlings shouldn't be set out until after your last usual spring frost date. When transplanting asparagus plants dig a trench 8-12 inches deep. For milder climates a shallower trench is needed, only 2-4 inches deep. The plants should be placed at the bottom of the trench, spaced 12 inches apart and in rows 2-4 feet apart. Cover with 1-2 inches of soil, and water to remove air pockets. As the plants grow push more dirt into the trench until it is level with the surrounding soil. As you fill in the trench make sure not to completely cover the growing points of the plants.
For the first two growing season no asparagus should be harvested. You should make sure to fertilize in late spring. In the third season you should only harvest spears for a week or two out of the growing season. A good rule of thumb is to harvest until the new spears are no bigger around than a pencil; then leave the plants alone. Asparagus plants will take 5-6 years to reach maturity. After plants reach maturity they can often be harvested for up to 8 weeks. In good soil asparagus plants will grow ferns that can reach 6-7 feet tall. The ferns should be left alone until killed by frost, and then removed.
Asparagus should be planted in a bed and needs room to grow. The bed should be prepared ahead of transplanting time. Asparagus prefers a pH in the range of 6.0-6.7 so if the soil is very acid add lime to achieve the desired ph. Good drainage is critical, make sure to locate your asparagus patch in a well drained area. Seedlings shouldn't be set out until after your last usual spring frost date. When transplanting asparagus plants dig a trench 8-12 inches deep. For milder climates a shallower trench is needed, only 2-4 inches deep. The plants should be placed at the bottom of the trench, spaced 12 inches apart and in rows 2-4 feet apart. Cover with 1-2 inches of soil, and water to remove air pockets. As the plants grow push more dirt into the trench until it is level with the surrounding soil. As you fill in the trench make sure not to completely cover the growing points of the plants.
For the first two growing season no asparagus should be harvested. You should make sure to fertilize in late spring. In the third season you should only harvest spears for a week or two out of the growing season. A good rule of thumb is to harvest until the new spears are no bigger around than a pencil; then leave the plants alone. Asparagus plants will take 5-6 years to reach maturity. After plants reach maturity they can often be harvested for up to 8 weeks. In good soil asparagus plants will grow ferns that can reach 6-7 feet tall. The ferns should be left alone until killed by frost, and then removed.
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