Leslie Massey
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that is easy to grow in Australia. It can be grown from seeds or crowns, and it can take up to four years to be ready for harvest. The best time to plant asparagus in Australia is between August and November, allowing the crowns to establish themselves before the growing season in spring. Asparagus thrives in sunny, well-drained spots with lots of organic matter in the soil. It is a long-lived crop, producing delicious spears for up to 20 years. Wild asparagus can also be found along country roads and fields in certain parts of Australia, offering a fun foraging experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long does it take to grow | It can take up to 2 years for the crop to be productive, and the plant will continue to produce for 15-20 years |
| Where to grow | A sunny, well-drained spot in your garden, receiving at least 7 hours of direct sunlight daily |
| When to grow | Late winter through the end of spring (August to November) |
| Soil | Rich, friable, well-prepared, and consistently moist but not waterlogged |
| Fertiliser | High-nitrogen fertilisers, blood and bone, or dynamic lifter |
| Seed | Should be soaked in room-temperature water for at least two hours before planting |
| Seedling | Should be 10-15 cm tall before transplanting outdoors |
| Trench depth | 15-20 cm |
| Seedling spacing | 40-50 cm apart |
| Soil cover | 5-8 cm of soil |
| Watering | Regular |
| Mulch | Thick layer of organic matter (e.g. compost mixed with dried grass clippings) |
| Harvesting | Cut spears when they are around the width of a pencil |
| Pruning | Prune small spears in the first year |
| Wild asparagus | Found in southeastern Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, and southwest Western Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Best time to plant asparagus in Australia
Asparagus is a vegetable that is well worth the time and effort to grow. It can take up to two years for the crop to be productive, but a well-established asparagus plant will continue to produce delicious spears for 15 to 20 years. The best time to plant asparagus crowns in Australia is between August and November, from late winter through to the end of spring. This allows the crowns to establish themselves before the growing season begins in spring.
The best time to plant asparagus seeds is in spring or until frost has passed. You can start seeds indoors in late winter or early spring to get a head start on the growing season. The soil temperature should be between 16°C and 30°C during the day and 15°C to 21°C at night.
To plant asparagus, dig a trench that is about 20-30cm deep and 30-50cm apart. Place the crowns at the bottom, spreading the roots out evenly, and cover with 5-8cm of soil. As they grow, cover them with more soil, 8-10cm at a time. Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, and use a high-nitrogen fertiliser in early spring and after the harvest season.
Asparagus grown from seed will not be ready to harvest for at least three to four years, but the reward of fresh asparagus spears for many years makes it well worth the wait.
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Preparing the soil
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that thrives in sunny, well-drained locations with fertile,
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Asparagus seeds vs crowns
Asparagus is easy to grow in Australia, but it requires patience. It can take up to four years to harvest asparagus after sowing the seeds, but the reward of fresh asparagus spears for many years makes it worthwhile.
Asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns. Crowns are typically planted in late winter through to the end of spring (between August and November in Australia), while seeds are usually planted in spring or until frost has passed. Crowns are the fleshy roots of the asparagus plant and are usually sold as bare-rooted plants.
Growing asparagus from seed can be more challenging and time-consuming than growing from crowns, but it has several advantages. Firstly, seeds are much cheaper than crowns. Secondly, seeds can result in healthier plants and better production. Seeds can be started indoors in January or February, and they appreciate a soil temperature of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. After sprouting, the temperature can be lowered to 60 to 70 degrees. Once the danger of frost has passed, the seedlings can be transplanted outdoors. It is important to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, during the growing season, as asparagus does not like dry conditions.
When planting asparagus crowns, a trench should be dug, and the crowns laid out with their roots fanned out and buds pointing up. The crowns are then covered with a few inches of soil, and as they grow, they are gradually covered with more soil until the trench is filled. Crowns should be planted 12 inches apart in rows spaced five feet apart. With crowns, the first small harvest will occur two years after planting, but it is recommended to wait until the following year for a larger harvest.
In summary, asparagus seeds offer a more cost-effective and productive option, but they require more time and care during the initial stages of growth. On the other hand, asparagus crowns are easier to plant and maintain, but they are more expensive and may take a little longer to establish compared to seeds.
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Asparagus maintenance
Asparagus is a long-term commitment, but with the right care, it will produce delicious spears for 15 to 20 years or more. It is a perennial plant, so it will come back every year in the same spot. This means it's important to select a proper planting site where it will thrive. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot in your garden, preferably towards the edge, where it won't be disturbed by other gardening activities. Make sure the planting site gets at least 7 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Asparagus thrives in neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.0. Before planting, get rid of any weeds and large stones in the area, and work in plenty of organic matter, such as compost and manure. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, and the roots should not be allowed to get too wet. During the growing season, asparagus needs regular watering, especially when the plant is young.
Asparagus benefits from high-nitrogen fertilisers. Use a balanced fertiliser in early spring before the spears emerge, and again after the harvest season. You can also add fertiliser in late winter. If you don't have a soil test report, the typical fertiliser rate for asparagus is 1 to 1.5 pounds of 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 10% potassium fertiliser per 100 square feet before planting.
Once the asparagus patch is established, it is best to test the soil every three years and follow the test recommendations before adding nutrients. Fertiliser, compost, or composted manure can be added in early spring or after harvest, but only if they are needed according to the soil test. Renew the layer of mulch each year.
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Foraging for wild asparagus
When foraging for wild asparagus, it is crucial to be able to identify the edible variety, which is Asparagus officinalis. This variety is also known as "feral asparagus" because it has escaped from cultivation since Europeans brought it to Australia. It can be identified by its dry, feathery stalks and new shoots at the base of the bush. You can find these growing along country roads, at the edges of fields, and along fence lines where there is less grazing and access to water run-off.
In Sydney, wild asparagus can sometimes be found in damp, overgrown patches of bushland, particularly in the western suburbs like Quakers Hill. However, it is not as commonly seen in Sydney as other varieties of asparagus, such as asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens), ground asparagus (A. aethiopicus), and ferny asparagus (A. plumosus). These non-edible varieties are more commonly found in bushland and are considered problematic weeds.
When foraging for wild asparagus, timing is crucial as the season is very short, lasting only three to four weeks. You want to look for the young shoots before they start flowering. If it has been a wet spring, you may find an abundance of asparagus, but they grow quickly, so you need to be timely in your harvesting. The best way to harvest is by hand, feeling for the crunchy stalk and snapping it when it feels perfect. This usually leaves about 10-20 cm of the stalk in the ground, and harvesting these new shoots will promote more growth.
Wild asparagus has a short shelf life, so it is best to only harvest what you plan to consume within a few days. Foraging for wild asparagus can be a fun adventure, and by keeping a forager's map or using calendar reminders, you can keep track of the best spots and times to find this delicious treat.
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Frequently asked questions
Asparagus can be found growing wild in several parts of Australia, including the country roads of southeastern Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, and southwest Western Australia. They can also be found in the Central West of NSW, possibly left over from the big Edgell farms around Bathurst, which were widespread in the 1920s-1940s.
Asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns. The best time to plant crowns is between August and November, allowing them to establish themselves before the growing season in spring. For seeds, spring is the best time, or you can start them indoors in late winter or early spring. Prepare the soil with compost and manure, ensuring it is moist but not waterlogged. Dig trenches about 20 cm deep and 30-40 cm apart, placing the seeds or crowns at the bottom with their roots spread out. Cover with 5-8 cm of soil and water well.
Growing asparagus requires patience as it can take up to two years for the crop to be productive, and even longer for seeds, which typically take three to four years to be ready for harvest. However, once established, asparagus will continue to produce delicious spears for up to 20 years.
