How to grow asparagus
A 15–20 year bed. Skip harvest in year one and harvest lightly in year two.
Spacing1 per square foot
Plant out3 weeks before your last spring frost
Days to harvestYear 2–3
FrostFrost-hardy
HowPlant crowns, tubers or sets
Family Perennials
Your asparagus dates
Companions
Keep apart from
Rotation and family
Asparagus belongs to the perennials (various). Stay put for years; keep them out of the rotation.
As a perennial it stays in one place, outside your rotation.
When to plant asparagus by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out |
|---|---|
| 3 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| 4 | Apr 21 – May 12 |
| 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| 6 | Mar 30 – Apr 20 |
| 7 | Mar 18 – Apr 8 |
| 8 | Mar 5 – Mar 26 |
| 9 | Feb 1 – Feb 22 |
| 10 | Jan 11 – Feb 1 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Asparagus questions
When should I plant asparagus?
Plant asparagus outdoors 3 weeks before your last spring frost.
How far apart should I plant asparagus?
About 18 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with asparagus?
Traditional companions include basil, parsley, tomato. Keep it away from garlic, onion.
How long does asparagus take to grow?
Asparagus is a perennial. A 15–20 year bed. Skip harvest in year one and harvest lightly in year two.