Lexi Webster
Growing asparagus in Australia is easy, but it requires patience. The best time to plant asparagus crowns is between August and November, allowing them to establish themselves before the growing season in spring. You can grow asparagus from seeds, but it will take at least three years to reach crown size. If you're planting crowns, space them 30 to 50 cm apart and spread each clump over a mound of soil. Water regularly and mulch with organic matter. For seeds, soak them in room-temperature water for two hours before planting. Prepare the soil by adding compost and manure to boost growth. Asparagus is a perennial that can produce spears for up to 30 years, so it's important to allocate a dedicated space and provide ongoing care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planting time | Late winter through the end of spring (between August and November) |
| Planting method | Seed, potted plants, or dormant crowns |
| Seed preparation | Soak in room-temperature water for at least two hours |
| Seed planting | Sow one seed per propagation cell or small paper pot in a good-quality seed raising mix |
| Seedling planting | Outdoors when all likelihood of frost has passed, spaced 40-50 cm apart |
| Crown planting | Dig a hole about 30 cm deep and wide, spread roots over a mound, and position the crown at a depth of 10 cm |
| Crown spacing | 30-50 cm apart |
| Soil type | Slightly alkaline, well-drained, and rich in organic matter and manure |
| Soil pH | 6.5 to 7 |
| Sunlight | At least 7 hours of direct sunlight daily |
| Harvest time | Second growing season |
| Harvest method | Cut spears below soil level with a sharp knife when thicker than a pencil |
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What You'll Learn
- Preparing the soil: mix in well-rotted organic matter and manure
- Choosing seeds, crowns or cuttings: seeds take longer but crowns are easier
- Planting: dig a trench, space crowns 30-50cm apart and cover with soil
- Watering and feeding: water well and feed with liquid plant food
- Harvesting: wait 2-3 years, then cut spears thicker than a pencil below soil level
Preparing the soil: mix in well-rotted organic matter and manure
Preparing the soil is a crucial step in growing asparagus, as the crop will continue to produce for 15 to 20 years, or even up to 30 years according to some sources. Therefore, it is important to mix in as much well-rotted organic matter as possible. This includes compost, dried grass clippings, and manure.
Asparagus likes deep, friable, rich, and well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy and clay-like, you will need to dig in plenty of organic matter to improve drainage. A pH level of 6.5 to 7 is ideal for asparagus.
You can use cow manure, sheep manure, or old chook poo. Before planting asparagus seeds, it is recommended to mix well-composted manure into the soil to boost growth. You can also use manure tea to soak asparagus crowns for added nutrients.
If you are planting potted asparagus, prepare the soil by mixing in compost and manure. Dig a hole the same size as your pot, and gently tip the asparagus out, planting it at the same level it was in the pot. Backfill with soil, press down firmly, and water well.
For asparagus crowns, dig a planting trench that goes almost to the bottom of your pre-prepared asparagus bed (15cm-20cm) and space the crowns along the base 30cm-50cm apart. Spread each clump over a mound of soil and cover lightly. Backfill the trench with soil as the shoots grow, and renew the layer of mulch each year.
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Choosing seeds, crowns or cuttings: seeds take longer but crowns are easier
When it comes to choosing how to start growing asparagus, you have a few options: seeds, crowns (roots), or cuttings. Each has its advantages and considerations to keep in mind.
Seeds are an economical way to grow asparagus, but they do require patience and a long-term commitment. It takes around two to eight weeks for seeds to develop into seedlings, and then about three years for the seedlings to reach harvest size. This allows the plants to develop a strong root system. To start with seeds, soak them in room-temperature water for at least two hours before planting. Then, sow one seed per small pot in a seed-raising mix and place them in a mini-greenhouse to keep moist. Once the seedlings are about 10-15 cm tall and there's no more risk of frost, they can be transplanted outdoors.
Crowns, on the other hand, are a faster way to get your asparagus crop established. Crowns are already two years old when you plant them, so they will produce harvestable spears much earlier than seeds. They are typically planted in winter and will send up spears in spring. Crowns are easy to plant and can be purchased from nurseries or garden centres. To plant crowns, dig a hole about 30 cm deep and wide, create a mound in the centre, spread the roots of the asparagus on the mound, and position the top of the crown about 10 cm deep. Backfill, water, and then mulch. Leave the spears on the plant for the first couple of years to allow the crown to establish, and then you can harvest when they are thicker than a pencil.
While cuttings were mentioned as an option, the information provided focused primarily on seeds and crowns. Therefore, I cannot provide a detailed explanation of growing asparagus from cuttings at this time. However, I can perform another search if you wish to explore this method further.
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Planting: dig a trench, space crowns 30-50cm apart and cover with soil
To grow asparagus in Australia, you'll need to prepare the soil well. It's important to allocate a separate bed for asparagus as it will continue to produce for 15-20 years.
Asparagus is typically grown from bare-rooted crowns in winter. Dig a trench that goes almost to the bottom of your asparagus bed (15-20cm) and space the crowns 30-50cm apart. Some sources recommend a spacing of 40cm. Spread each clump over a mound of soil and cover lightly. Backfill the trench with soil as the shoots grow.
Water the crowns well once planted, to help remove air pockets from the roots. Then, in spring, little shoots will appear.
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Watering and feeding: water well and feed with liquid plant food
Watering and feeding are crucial steps in growing asparagus. After planting your asparagus, water it well to help the soil settle around the roots and prevent air pockets from forming. It is also recommended to soak the asparagus crowns in water for 15 to 30 minutes before planting to moisten the roots. This step ensures that your asparagus gets the hydration it needs to thrive.
Once your asparagus is planted and establishing itself, continue to water it regularly, especially during the warmer months. Ensure that the soil is moist but not wet. Asparagus prefers slightly alkaline, well-drained soil, so make sure your planting site has good drainage.
To boost the growth of your asparagus, feed it regularly with liquid plant food. Yates Thrive Vegie and Herb Liquid Plant Food is specifically recommended for asparagus. Apply this liquid plant food during the warmer months to provide your asparagus with the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.
In addition to liquid plant food, you can also feed your asparagus with other organic matter. Well-composted manure, such as cow, sheep, or chicken manure, can be added to the soil to enrich it and provide additional nutrients for your asparagus. This will help your asparagus grow vigorously and produce an abundance of spears.
By following these watering and feeding instructions, you'll be well on your way to a healthy and productive asparagus crop. Remember that asparagus is a long-term commitment, and with proper care, it will reward you with delicious spears for many years to come.
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Harvesting: wait 2-3 years, then cut spears thicker than a pencil below soil level
When growing asparagus, it is important to be patient. It takes two to three years for the plant to establish itself and develop a strong root system. During this time, it is recommended to leave the asparagus spears on the plant to allow it to grow naturally.
After this initial period, you can start harvesting the spears. However, make sure to only cut the spears that are thicker than a pencil. You can identify these as the mature spears that are ready for harvest. Use a sharp knife to cut the spears below soil level, being careful not to damage the crown or roots.
The harvesting period for asparagus typically lasts for about two months, from late August to early October. During this time, you can regularly cut the spears as they reach the right size. It is best to harvest in the morning, as the spears will be crisp and fresh.
It is important to note that asparagus is a long-lived crop, and with proper care, it can continue to produce spears for 15 to 20 years, or even up to 30 years in some cases. Therefore, it is crucial to allocate a dedicated space for your asparagus bed and maintain it by keeping it weed-free, mulched, and well-fertilised.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common way to grow asparagus is by using crowns (roots) in winter. You can also grow asparagus from seeds, potted plants, or dormant crowns.
Dig a hole about 30cm deep and 30cm wide. Backfill slightly to create a raised mound in the centre of the hole. Spread the roots of the asparagus out so that they slope down the mound, and position the top of the crown at a depth of around 10cm. Backfill and water to settle the soil around the roots, then mulch.
Asparagus grown from seeds can take between 2 to 8 weeks to develop into seedlings, which then take about 3 years to reach harvest. Asparagus grown from crowns or cuttings can take 2 years to mature.
The best time to plant asparagus crowns is between August and November, allowing them to establish themselves before the growing season begins in spring. Spring is the best time for asparagus seeds or until frost has passed.
Asparagus needs deep, friable, rich, and well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.5 to 7. The soil should be enriched with compost and decomposed manure.
