How to Grow Asparagus for Beginners: Step by Step

If you’ve always dreamed of adding this incredible vegetable to your backyard garden, How to Grow Asparagus for Beginners will walk you through each step. From planting to harvesting and everything in between. Once you read, you will have the skills needed to grow and keep your asparagus thriving year after year.

It’s another great addition to your Gardening 101 library that takes you step by step, from seedlings all the way to harvest.

Asparagus is one of those veggies I didn’t really know about as a kid, but now I absolutely love it. It’s become one of my favorites—not just to eat but to cook too. We often include it as a side dish with our meals, and honestly, it never disappoints.

The great thing about asparagus is that it’s super easy to grow, even if you’re a beginner gardener. You don’t need much experience because it is pretty much foolproof, but what you do is patience.

Things to know about Asparagus

Asparagus plants take time to settle in, not being ready to harvest for at least three years. But here’s the upside: once they’re established, they’ll keep producing for up to 20 years. That means you can look forward to enjoying them for a long time to come.

Fun Fact: Asparagus can grow insanely fast. Under the right conditions, it can shoot up as much as 7 inches in a single day. It really is an amazing vegetable to grow.

If you’re not a fan of waiting around, you can speed things up a little by planting asparagus crowns instead of starting from seeds. This trick cuts down the growing time, and you’ll still get years of delicious harvests.

Varieties of Asparagus

Asparagus comes in a surprising variety of types, each with its own unique traits and growing perks. Whether you’re after a heavy-harvesting plant, one that thrives in cold weather, or something vibrant like purple spears, there’s an option for every gardener.

Jersey Knight – Male plants known for their large, abundant harvests.
Jersey Giant – Male plants that thrive in the East and Midwest regions.
Mary Washington – Female plants with a long history as a traditional heirloom variety.
Millennium F1 – Male plants that excel in very cold climates, ideal for northern gardens.
Larac – Both male and female plants with pale, almost white spears.
Purple Passion – Both male and female plants offering colorful, tender spears.
UC 157 – Male plants perfectly suited to West Coast temperatures.
Viking – Male plants that perform well in cold climates, producing tender and tasty spears.

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What’s White Asparagus All About?

White asparagus isn’t a different variety of asparagus; it’s actually just regular asparagus grown without sunlight. Keeping the spears in the dark prevents them from producing chlorophyll, which is what gives green asparagus its color. The result? White asparagus has a slightly sweeter taste and less fiber, making it extra tender.

If you want to grow your own, it’s simple. Just keep mounding soil around the spears as they grow, making sure they don’t get any direct sunlight. It’s a fun twist on a classic veggie.

How Much Asparagus to Plant

The amount of asparagus you should plant depends on how much your household enjoys eating it. A good rule of thumb is to grow about 5 to 10 plants per person if asparagus is a favorite. Since established asparagus plants can produce harvests for up to 20 years, a little initial investment can go a long way.

Keep in mind, asparagus takes some room to grow. You’ll need a dedicated garden space where the plants can spread out and thrive for years. If space is limited, you might scale down your planting, but for larger families, aim for a bigger patch to enjoy plenty of fresh harvests every spring.

Seeds, Crowns, or Transplants

When it comes to growing asparagus, you’ve got three great options, each with its own perks.

Starting from seeds is the most budget-friendly choice and lets you pick from a wide range of varieties. The trade-off? It takes the longest, as you’ll need to wait a few years for the plants to mature.

If you’re after quicker results, crowns are a great option. These established root systems speed up your time to harvest by about a year.

Then there are transplants, which strike a nice balance. These young, already-growing plants are easy to establish and give you a bit of variety and speed.

Each method has its benefits, so the best choice really depends on your patience and gardening goals.

What You Need to Grow Asparagus

Growing asparagus takes some patience, but once it’s established, it’s an incredible crop that keeps on giving for years.

Time to Grow: Asparagus needs about three years before you can enjoy your first harvest, but the payoff is worth it since it can thrive in the same spot for up to 20 years. To help your plants survive winter, cover them with heavy mulch like straw or woodchips. If you live in an area with mild snowfall, cold frames or portable greenhouses can also do the trick.
Sun: Make sure your asparagus gets full sun. It’s essential for healthy, strong plants.
Soil: These plants love sandy loam soil packed with nutrients. Boost your soil with compost or an organic planting mix. If your garden soil isn’t ideal, raised beds can be a great solution.
Location: Choose a sunny spot with enough space for your plants to spread out, and try to pick an area that’s sheltered from strong winds.

How to Grow Asparagus for beginners

Follow these steps to setup an asparagus bed that will fill your kitchen with a hardy harvest for years to come.

#1. Temperature

Asparagus grows best in temperatures ranging between 60°F and 70°F. If you’re starting a new crop, wait until the soil warms to at least 50°F in the spring. For seeds or crowns, plant them early in the season, as soon as the soil is workable and the temperature hits 50°F or higher.

For established plants, cover them during winter to shield them from the cold, and remove the cover as the temperatures begin to rise in spring.

#2. Sun

Full sun is best, but asparagus can also tolerate partial shade. When choosing a spot to plant watch different areas so you can see the amount of sun. Keep in mind that wind can do damage so you will want to look for a partially protected area as well.

#3. Soil

Asparagus prefers loose, compost rich soil that is well-drained. Sandy loam soil is best. You’ll want to add 3-4 inches of aged compost to the bed and turn it under to 12 inches deep before planting. Check your soil’s pH before planting using a pH soil tester. Asparagus grows best with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

#4. Water

To keep your asparagus happy, aim for evenly moist but not overly wet soil during the growing season. A simple way to check is by sticking your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle. If it feels damp, no need to water. If it’s dry, it’s time to give your plants a good soak.

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#5. Fertilizing

Give your asparagus a healthy boost each spring by adding a 2-inch layer of aged compost to the planting beds. Alternatively, you can use a high-phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, like a 5-10-10 mix. Just sprinkle it along the rows before the spears start to appear. For best results, repeat this process at the end of the harvest season to help the plants prepare for overwintering.

How to Plant Asparagus

Since asparagus will stay in the same spot in your garden for years, it’s important to pick the perfect location before planting. Choose an area with full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. Good air circulation will also help reduce the risk of disease later on.

Planting Seeds

When planting asparagus from seeds, space your rows about 12 inches wide and leave 3–4 feet between rows. This gives the roots room to grow and spread as they mature.

Planting Transplants

When starting seeds outdoors, use a protected nursery bed or cold frame. Sow 2 seeds per inch and keep rows about 18 inches apart. Once the seedlings grow to about 3 inches tall, thin them out, spacing the remaining plants 4 inches apart.

At the end of summer, transplant male plants to their permanent spot in your garden. Female plants can stay in the nursery bed if you prefer, but keep in mind, they generally produce fewer spears compared to males.

Planting Crowns

If you’re looking for quicker results, asparagus can also be grown from crowns, which are roots sold at garden centers or online during late winter and early spring. Crowns are started by seed growers and come in one-, two-, or three-year-old options. One-year-old crowns are a great choice as they’re less likely to experience transplant shock.

Look for crowns that are fresh and firm. Avoid planting crowns that appear shriveled or dry. Until planting, store them in moist peat moss.

Preparing to Plant Crowns:

Before planting, soak the crowns in compost tea for 10–15 minutes.
Prepare your planting beds using aged compost or organic planting mix. Dig a trench about 10 inches deep and 12 inches wide.

Fill the bottom of the trench with compost to enrich the soil for years of growth. Replace some of the removed soil, forming a ridge down the center of the trench. The ridge will support the crown while the roots hang down into the compost.

Space trenches 3–4 feet apart to ensure plenty of room for the plants to grow and thrive.

Planting the Crowns:

Place the crowns on top of the ridge with the roots draped down the sides.
Space each crown 18–24 inches apart.
Cover the crowns with about 2 inches of soil, pressing down gently near the crown to secure it in place.
Water the area to firm up the soil around the roots.

The goal is to have the final planting even with the surrounding soil level. This may require some “eye-balling,” but it doesn’t need to be perfect.

Spears will begin to appear within a few weeks. When this happens, add another 2 inches of soil over the crowns. Continue this process as the spears grow, gradually filling the trench. Once the trench is full, mound additional soil over the rows until the plants are growing in mounds about 4 inches high.

What Diseases and Pests to Watch For

When growing asparagus, there are a few pests and diseases to watch out for.

Asparagus beetles – These pests can cause damage by chewing on spears in the spring and feeding on the fronds during summer. To manage them, you can either pick them off by hand and destroy them or use insecticidal soap to treat the spears.
Fungal disease – To prevent this, mist the plants with compost tea. You can also treat seeds before planting by soaking them in compost tea, which provides added protection against disease.

When to Harvest Asparagus

Asparagus plants will take at least 3 years to fully develop so avoid harvesting before that. During the first harvest in the third year, pick spears for only two weeks, then let the plants continue to establish themselves. Overharvesting can weaken the plants and create smaller harvests in the future.

In the fourth year, you can extend the harvesting period to 4 weeks. At the fifth year and beyond, you can extend the harvesting by a week or two every year until you are up to 8 weeks of harvest time.

Cut spears when they are 6-10 inches tall and about the diameter of a pencil. The tips should be firm and closed. Snap spears off at soil level or just below. You can also use a knife but be careful not to injure the nearby crowns.

When the spear bracts begin to feather out, it’s too late to enjoy them. Heat can cause bracts to open prematurely so during periods when temperatures are 90° or above, harvest daily.

You can extend harvesting time by planting twice as many plants. Then, harvest half the plants from spring to early summer and let the other half continue to grow; they’ll become tall and ferny. About the middle of summer, cut the ferny plants down to the ground. This will allow new spears to emerge in the fall and you can harvest again.

Once harvested, you can store asparagus in a cup with water inside of your refrigerator for up to 10 days.

harvesting asparagus grown in the garden

How to Store Asparagus

To keep freshly picked asparagus fresh and crisp, start by trimming about an inch off the bottom of the stalks to refresh them. Stand the spears upright in a jar or glass with about an inch of water at the bottom, much like you would with fresh flowers. Loosely cover the tops with a plastic bag to help retain moisture, then store the jar in the refrigerator. Be sure to change the water every couple of days to maintain freshness.

Another option is to wrap the trimmed ends in a damp paper towel and place the asparagus in a plastic bag before refrigerating. Either way, aim to use it within 3 to 5 days for the best flavor and texture.

If you’d like to enjoy asparagus beyond its growing season, freezing is a great option. To freeze, cut the spears to equal lengths and make sure they are completely dry. Place them carefully in labeled freezer bags, being gentle to avoid damaging the spears. For the best results, store the bags in a single layer. Properly frozen asparagus can last up to 8 months, giving you a taste of spring even in the winter months.

SLCG PRO TIP: As with most vegetables and fruits, once frozen, you will lose some of the crispness. For this reason, frozen asparagus will do better in soups and other dishes where taste is more important than texture.

You can also can asparagus, but because it is a low-acid food, you will need to use a pressure canner to do so safely.

Off-Season Care for Asparagus

Taking care of your asparagus plants during the colder months is important to ensure healthy growth in the spring. Each year, the plants need to be cut down to the ground before new growth begins. You can do this in late winter or fall. Removing the dead foliage in the fall is especially beneficial because it helps prevent asparagus beetles from overwintering in your garden.

Once you’ve cut the plants back, dress the beds with compost or manure. Be sure to dispose of the cut stalks and ferns in the trash rather than the compost pile to avoid transferring asparagus beetles into your compost.

After cutting back the plants and adding compost, stop watering for the season.

When spring arrives, and the shoots begin to emerge, it’s important to remove the old mulch or compost from the beds. Winter mulch can sometimes harbor rust or fungal diseases, so clearing it out gives your plants a clean and healthy start.

Growing Tips for Asparagus

Ultimately, male plants will produce more spears than female plants. You can thin out female plants by looking at the flowers. Female flowers have three-lobed pistils, while male flowers are larger and longer.
Mound 1-2 inches of aged compost or organic planting mix over established crowns every spring; this will provide the plants with plenty of nutrients. Plants will easily be able to grow through the added soil.
Keep your plant beds weeded as weeds can reduce the yield of your asparagus plants.
If your garden is in a windy area, erect windbreakers to protect asparagus spears which can be damaged by high winds.
Plants will become dry and brittle in the fall; cut them back to 1 inch above the soil and add aged compost or organic planting mix.
If you’re expecting a frost or freeze, protect the spears and crowns by covering them with several inches of straw or chopped leaves. Unprotected spears will turn brown and soft if hit by a freeze.
Asparagus grows well with tomatoes, parsley, and basil but avoid planting root vegetables nearby.
Asparagus needs to be enjoyed fresh, so eat it within a week of harvesting and refrigerate it until then, placing spears upright in an inch or two of water.

Growing asparagus takes a bit of time, but once you’ve established a healthy patch, you are good to grow. Choose a good spot for planting, keep an eye out for pests, and give your plants the proper care they need during the colder months to prepare for a good and healthy harvest.

Before you know it, you’ll have a kitchen full of fresh asparagus and a thriving garden that keeps on giving year after year.

How to Grow Asparagus for Beginners