Can you buy an asparagus plant?
We grow and test many asparagus varieties in our trial gardens. Our asparagus plants for sale are top choices for home gardeners—and we deliver them right to your door.
How long does it take an asparagus plant to mature?
three to four yearsThe seedlings themselves require several weeks to reach two inches in height, the size right for transplanting into a growing bed. It takes three to four years for a young plant to develop the maturity needed to support annual harvests that last four to six weeks.
What is the lifespan of an asparagus plant?
The patience is well worth it, though, as asparagus beds can be productive for 15, 20, sometimes up to 30 years. Because asparagus stays productive for so long, it's important to plant the best variety available for your area. (See recommended varieties below.)
What month do you plant asparagus?
Plant transplants outside from November – February 15. Prepare the asparagus bed by adding compost and composted manure to create rich soil. If planting from seed, start seeds in small containers with potting soil or directly in the beds. Sow seeds ½ inch deep.
Does asparagus come back every year?
Unlike most vegetables, asparagus plants are perennial, which means the same plants grow in your garden year after year. The spears that we enjoy as a vegetable are the new shoots that emerge in spring.
Does asparagus regrow after cutting?
Yes, it does. Asparagus regrow after cutting. This is because perennial plants make a return year after year. The fact that a plant lasts 20 years is evidence that it does regrow after cutting.
Does asparagus multiply?
A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears. When asparagus plants grow in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time.
Do asparagus plants spread?
Because asparagus is a perennial, you'll need to designate a place in the vegetable garden or, even better, build a separate bed. Asparagus needs space, so plant the crowns 12 to 18 inches apart. They won't spread out much in the first couple of years, but once established, they will quickly fill in.
Do you cut back asparagus in the fall?
Ideally, asparagus should be cut back in the fall but it is important that you wait until all of the foliage has died back and turned brown or yellow. This will normally happen after the first frost, but it can happen without frost in areas that do not receive frost.
How can you tell a male asparagus from a female?
The female plants produce round berries. The male plants do not. The easiest way to tell the sex of an asparagus plant is to look for the berries that form from female flowers on the ferns.
How many asparagus should I plant?
But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It's not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years. It does best in well-drained soils that are in full sun.
Where is the best place to plant asparagus?
Choose a fertile, sunny, well-drained site with soil that holds moisture well. Late spring frosts can kill emerged spears, so find an area that is not low-lying or exposed to frost. Asparagus plants have deep root systems. Avoid areas with shallow soils, or soils prone to water-saturation.
Can you pick asparagus the first year?
No spears should be harvested during the first growing season. Asparagus can be harvested over a three to four week period during its second growing season. In following years, asparagus plantings can be harvested until early to mid-June.
What are the stages of growing asparagus?
There are three main stages of asparagus growing. The first is the spear stage. The second is the fern stage. And the third is the dormant stage which happens in the winter.
Does asparagus multiply?
A mature stand of asparagus plants produces spears over several weeks, up to eight weeks. During this time, a healthy plant should yield around 20 spears. When asparagus plants grow in a sunny site with good drainage, proper irrigation, and adequate nutrients, the plants multiply and become crowded over time.
Do asparagus plants spread?
Because asparagus is a perennial, you'll need to designate a place in the vegetable garden or, even better, build a separate bed. Asparagus needs space, so plant the crowns 12 to 18 inches apart. They won't spread out much in the first couple of years, but once established, they will quickly fill in.