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If you're interested in growing asparagus in Western Australia, you're in luck—it's easy to do and the crop will continue to produce for up to 30 years! You can grow asparagus from seeds, potted plants, or dormant crowns (bare roots available in winter). The best time to plant asparagus crowns is between August and November, allowing them to establish themselves before the growing season begins in spring. To plant asparagus crowns, dig a hole about 30cm deep and 30cm wide, and space them about 40cm apart. If you're growing asparagus from seeds, it will take at least three years for the seed to reach crown size, so it's a long-term commitment. But the reward of fresh asparagus spears for many years can be well worth the effort.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the soil
Asparagus thrives in deep, friable, rich soil with a pH of around 6.5 to 7. If you have heavy clay soil, you can improve drainage by creating mounds or mixing in plenty of organic matter. This can include compost, decomposed manure, or dried grass clippings.
To prepare the soil, start by digging a trench. The trench should be about 15 to 20 cm deep and 30 to 50 cm wide, with spacing of about 40 to 50 cm between each trench. Make sure the trench is in a sunny spot that receives at least seven hours of direct sunlight daily and is protected from strong winds. Avoid areas that are low-lying, exposed to frost, or prone to erosion.
Once you've dug the trench, spread a layer of organic matter at the bottom. This can include well-rotted cow manure, sheep manure, or old chicken manure. Cover the manure with a thin layer of soil and then create a small mound in the centre of the trench. This mound will support the asparagus crown and help with drainage.
After preparing the trench, you can move on to planting the asparagus crowns or seeds.
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Planting seeds or crowns
Asparagus can be grown from seeds, potted plants, or dormant crowns. Crowns are typically one-year-old plants with a root system already in place, whereas seeds will take at least three years to reach crown size. The best time to plant asparagus seeds in Australia is in spring, or until frost has passed. For crowns, late winter through the end of spring (between August and November) is ideal, allowing them to establish themselves before the growing season in spring.
To plant seeds, soak them in room-temperature water for at least two hours before sowing. Then, place one seed in a propagation cell or small paper pot with a seed-raising mix. Put this in a propagation unit or mini-greenhouse, keeping the soil moist but not wet. Once the seedlings are about 10-15cm tall, they can be transplanted outdoors. Dig trenches in your garden bed about 20cm deep and 30-40cm apart. Place the seedlings at the bottom, spacing them about 40-50cm apart, and cover with 5-8cm of soil. Water well. Note that it will take at least three to four years for asparagus grown from seeds to be ready for harvest.
To plant crowns, dig a planting trench about 15-20cm deep and 30-50cm wide. Spread the roots out over a mound of soil in the centre of the trench and position the top of the crown about 10cm deep. Cover the roots with soil and water to help the soil settle. Asparagus grown from crowns will be ready for harvest much earlier than seedlings.
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Watering and fertilising
Watering
When planting asparagus seeds, it is essential to ensure that the soil is moist, but not wet. This step is crucial before transplanting the seeds. Maintaining moist soil is preferable to watering the seeds after transplantation. Once the asparagus seedlings reach a height of 10-15 cm, and there is no longer any danger of frost, they can be transplanted outdoors. This typically occurs in late spring or early summer in Australia.
When planting asparagus crowns, soak them in water for 15 to 30 minutes to moisten the roots adequately. You can also use a manure "tea" for added nutrients. After placing the crowns in the trench and covering them, water them well to eliminate air pockets around the roots.
During the summer, ensure your asparagus is kept well-watered.
Fertilising
Fertilising your asparagus is essential for optimal growth. You can use a high-nitrogen fertiliser in the spring before spear emergence and again at the end of the harvest. Additionally, fertilise with a product like Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser in late winter or early spring.
If you're growing asparagus from seeds, apply fertiliser after planting them. However, refrain from harvesting for a few days after fertilising, and be sure to rinse the asparagus well before cooking and consuming.
To promote healthy growth, feed your asparagus regularly during the warmer months with a liquid plant food specifically formulated for vegetables and herbs, such as Yates Thrive Vegie and Herb Liquid Plant Food.
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Harvesting spears
It is important to leave the asparagus spears on the plant for the first couple of years to allow time for the plant or crown to establish in the soil. After this, you can harvest the spears when they are thicker than a pencil. Cut the spears below the soil level with a sharp knife. Do not harvest thin, spindly spears—leave these on the plant.
To harvest asparagus grown from seeds, you will need to wait for at least 3-4 years. This allows the plants to develop a strong root system. Asparagus grown from crowns will produce spears much earlier than seedlings.
At the end of the season, cut and remove old brown fern spears, add a thick layer of compost, and keep the soil moist but not wet over winter in preparation for the following season.
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Maintaining the crop
Once your asparagus is planted, it's important to care for it properly to ensure a good harvest. Here are some tips for maintaining your asparagus crop:
- Keep the area around your asparagus weed-free and well-mulched. Asparagus is a long-lived crop that can produce spears for up to 30 years, so it's important to allocate it its own bed and keep the area free from weeds and well-mulched with pea straw or Lucerne mulch.
- Watering is crucial for asparagus, especially during the summer months. Keep your asparagus well-watered, but not wet, to promote healthy growth.
- Fertilise your asparagus with a high-nitrogen fertiliser in spring before the spears emerge and again at the end of the harvest. You can also use blood and bone or dynamic lifter in spring, and top-dress with composted manure in winter.
- Harvest your asparagus spears every 2-3 days during the peak growing season, which begins in early spring. Cut the spears below the soil level with a sharp knife when they are thicker than a pencil. Do not harvest thin, spindly spears—leave these to grow.
- At the end of the season, cut and remove old brown fern spears and add a thick layer of compost to prepare for the following season.
- Prune small spears in the first year to prevent the plant from wasting energy on producing them.
- Asparagus is susceptible to pests, diseases, and fungi, so keep an eye out for any problems and treat them accordingly. Always read the label and follow instructions carefully when using any products.
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Frequently asked questions
Late winter through to the end of spring, between August and November.
You can harvest asparagus spears every 2-3 days during the peak growing season, which begins in early spring.
It takes at least three years for the seed to reach crown size, and then another 3-4 years before it is ready to harvest.
