Planting Asparagus How To Make An Asparagus Bed

To plant asparagus crowns, dig trenches 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep (8 inches in sandy soil) down the center of the prepared bed. Soak the crowns in compost tea for 20 minutes before planting. Place the crowns in the trenches 1½ to 2 feet apart; top them with 2 to 3 inches of soil.

How big should an asparagus bed be?

Rows of asparagus should be at least 2 feet apart, allowing two rows to fit in a 4-foot wide bed. For every 8 feet of row space, you will need about a wheelbarrow filled two-thirds of the way with equal parts of the excavated soil and compost.

Should I soak asparagus roots before planting?

Separate the asparagus crowns from the bundle and soak the bare-root asparagus roots in water* for 15-30 minutes prior to planting so that they are well hydrated going into the ground. *for a jump-start, consider soaking your asparagus in nutrient-rich organic compost- or manure-tea!

How long does it take to establish an asparagus bed?

How Long Does It Take to Grow Asparagus? As said above, newly-planted asparagus plants may take 2 to 3 years to truly get started and produce, so patience is needed! After they're established, however, asparagus can be productive for decades.

What can you not plant near asparagus?

There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus: Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth. That doesn't mean you have to choose between them: Just plant any alliums a good distance away from asparagus beds and they'll be fine.

Will asparagus spread on its own?

Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. They won't spread out much the first couple of years, but once established they will quickly fill in. ... Unlike many plants, the roots of asparagus crowns can withstand some air exposure, and you will usually find them for sale loose.

Can I grow asparagus from store bought asparagus?

To conclude, we can grow asparagus from store-bought crowns. ... But to make sure you have sufficient asparagus, we recommend buying the 'two-year' marked crowns. These crowns can bear spears in one year only.

What month do you plant asparagus?

Planting. Asparagus is grown from 1- or 2-yearold crowns planted in January or February, or as soon as the ground can be worked. Crowns can also be grown from seeds planted in flats or peat cups. It takes at least a year to grow a good crown.

Can you plant asparagus too deep?

Asparagus grows with minimal water, too much can cause the roots to rot out. ... In fall the asparagus bed should have 3 to 5 inches of soil over the crowns. If the crowns are too shal- low the spears are spindly and if planted too deep the crowns grow to the surface too rapidly sacrificing the yield of your early crop.

Does asparagus regrow after cutting?

Now, let's get to the question: does asparagus regrow after cutting. The answer is yes because perennial plants return year after year.

How much asparagus do you get from one plant?

Each plant yields about 1/2 pound of asparagus spears each harvest.

Should I let my asparagus go to seed?

Late Spring Asparagus Garden

Sow asparagus seed 1½ inches (3.8cm) deep and 2 inches (5cm) apart in loose, well-drained soil. Sow seed when the soil temperature is between 70 and 75°F (21-24°C). Seeds should emerge in 10 to 20 days. Keep the soil moist and control weeds.

Does asparagus multiply?

Asparagus plants are long-lived and vigorous. When asparagus plants are growing in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time. A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, and even up to eight weeks.

What vegetables should not be grown together?

What Plants Should Not Be Planted Together?

Asparagus.
Beans.
Beets.
Broccoli.
Cabbage.
Cucumbers.
Peas.
Soybeans.

What is the life cycle of asparagus?

When asparagus first emerges, slim, tender spears appear. These spears are what we harvest and this part of the life cycle lasts four to six weeks in the second year of planting, six to eight weeks in the third year, continuing at that rate for 15 to 20 years!

Does asparagus like sun or shade?

Light requirements: Full sun. Plant asparagus on the west or north side of a garden so the tall plants won't shade other vegetables in summer. Planting: Space 12 to 18 inches apart. Soil requirements: Asparagus needs well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.

Can asparagus and strawberries be grown together?

Horseradish, rhubarb, asparagus and strawberries are good companions. In asparagus rows, dig a trench 1.5 feet deep and wide, mounding soil in a 6 inch high ridge down the middle. ... You can plant a companion bed of strawberries, asparagus, horseradish and rhubarb that will produce for generations.

What is the best fertilizer for asparagus?

Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .

Why are my asparagus spears so thin?

Thin asparagus spears appear for a number of reasons, but the root cause is ultimately the same: the asparagus crown lacks the rigor to create bigger shoots. ... Improper Feeding – Asparagus are somewhat heavy feeders and need all the food they can get in order to build strong spears the following year.

What happens if you dont pick asparagus?

A few weeks after you planted asparagus crowns, small spears emerge from the ground. Don't harvest these tiny spears for the first season. By leaving the plants intact, you encourage strong, deep root formation that increases yields later.

What is best mulch for asparagus?

Good mulching materials include sawdust, wood chips, shavings and ground corncobs. These materials shut out weed growth, but still permit asparagus to come up. Caution: if applied too early, it may tend to keep the soil cool. This would delay your harvest of asparagus, but that doesn't hurt it.