Choose a site that gets full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight). Place the asparagus bed toward the edge of your garden, where it will not be disturbed by the activity of planting and re-planting other areas. Ensure the bed will drain well and not pool with water. Asparagus does not like to have its roots get too wet.
How often should asparagus be watered?
Asparagus patches should receive at least one inch of water every week. If they have not received an inch of rain in the last week, soak the soil with water. Asparagus growing in sandy soil should be watered more than once per week in the absence of rain, and heavy clay soils may not need to be watered as often.
Can asparagus be grown in the shade?
Growing Conditions
Asparagus needs at least 8 hours of sun per day. Since asparagus is a long-lived perennial, do not plant where trees or tall shrubs might eventually shade the plants or compete for nutrients and water.
How much water do you give asparagus?
Water. Asparagus needs regular watering, especially while young; give it 1 to 2 inches of water per week during its first two growing seasons; give older plants about 1 inch per week. Give them a good start when you first plant them and you’ll have fewer problems in future years.
Does asparagus like sun or shade?
full sun
It’s best to choose a planting site in full sun, but asparagus will also tolerate dappled shade. Most soil types are suitable, as long as they are well drained. On heavy soils, consider creating raised beds. A pH of 6.5–7.5 is ideal, so more acidic soils may need liming.
What is the best way to water asparagus?
Hand water at the base of the plants or consider a drip hose or some other drip-irrigation method that will deliver water slowly and deeply into the soil for your asparagus plants. Avoid watering your plants from above, especially when they start to fruit; excess moisture on the fruit and foliage can cause rot.
What is 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 .
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.
- Potatoes. Asparagus, on the other hand, stunts the growth of potatoes when they share the same space.
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.
Will asparagus spread on its own?
Yes, asparagus will spread as it grows. Asparagus roots can spread out up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) underground. Asparagus ferns (mature spears with foliage) can spread out 3 feet (90 centimeters) above ground. An older, more mature asparagus plant will send up more spears from its larger crown and energy reserves.
Can you overwater asparagus?
Overwatered asparagus can develop several health issues, such as root rot. Underwatered asparagus will begin to wilt but can be revived through daily misting.
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.
Do asparagus plants need fertilizer?
Generally, it is not necessary to apply fertilizer for an established asparagus crop until after harvest. In fact, delaying fertilization until after harvest can reduce early weed growth. For sandy coarse-textured soils, however, 20-25 lbs N/acre in the spring may be beneficial for spear development.
What grows well next to asparagus?
Asparagus – Plant with asters, basil, cilantro, dill, cilantro, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, sage, and thyme. Asparagus repels nematodes that attack tomatoes, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles. Basil – Will improve vigour and flavour of tomatoes, planted side-by-side.
How do you pick asparagus so it keeps growing?
To harvest asparagus, simply cut the spears with a sharp knife or scissors at ground level. Stop harvesting spears when the diameter of the spears decreases to the size of a pencil. After harvest, fertilize your asparagus in early summer.
How much will one asparagus plant yield?
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 should I trim my asparagus?
At this point in the season, gardeners growing asparagus may be wondering when to cut down those tall, skinny stalks that have grown from their asparagus plants. Wait until the ferns are fully brown and dormant to maximize the next year’s harvest.
Can asparagus grow in pots?
You can grow asparagus asparagus in pots from seeds, crowns (roots), or transplants. Asparagus seeds should be either started inside in February or planted outside in April. Spread the roots out in the hole as evenly as possible if you plant a crown and leave a six-inch cavity above the crown.
Do you cut back asparagus in the fall?
The asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in fall. However, it is generally recommended that the dead foliage be allowed to stand over winter. The dead debris will catch and hold snow. Snow cover helps protect the asparagus crowns from freeze damage.
Is Epsom salt good for asparagus?
Asparagus plants will thrive in soil with high salt content, unlike many garden vegetables. It does not need salt to grow, however. Putting salt on asparagus plants can damage the plants and reduce the yield.
Are coffee grounds good for asparagus?
* Coffee grounds alone would be too acidic, but if you’re mixing them in with other kitchen waste and especially yard waste like leaves, they’re fine. Asparagus prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7, which is mildly acidic. Coffee grounds can run 5 or less on the pH scale by themselves.