Organic Asparagus Growing Guide

When your crowns arrive, promptly open up box. Leave in a cool, dark area until you’re ready to plant.

Choose a sunny, well-drained area for your planting site. Think ahead as asparagus can produce for many years.  Choose a site with well-worked soil, and eradicate weeds in bed prior to planting. Asparagus does not like competition from weeds so good bed preparation is very important.

Dig a trench that is 10” deep and wide. Leave enough room to walk between rows- at least 18”.

Every 18” put a scoop of compost and some phosphorus in a mound and mix with some garden soil. Over each formed mound, set the asparagus crown so the roots drape down over it. Fill trench with soil until crowns are covered  1” which should be about 6” below the top of trench. As shoots grow, add soil to the trench every week or two until full.

Always keep bed well-weeded and water well the first few years. Mulch will help conserve soil moisture as well as reduce weed growth.

During the first year, don’t pick any asparagus. This will allow the crowns the most energy to establish themselves. Starting the second year, harvest stalks for a few weeks, then stop. Harvest for 6-8 weeks in subsequent years. Water and fertilize after harvest is complete. After a killing frost turns foliage brown, cut back to ground. If you live in an area with harsh winters, it is ok to leave the foliage, but it must be cut back very early in Spring before any new growth emerges.